tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215707862371213462024-02-07T01:13:27.881-05:00The Offshore AquaholicIn addition to simply requiring water to survive, many individuals find themselves actually addicted to water - the oceans in particular and all activities involved with it. These people also collect countless books and other media on the subject. So, from serious documentaries to children's books... here are critiques to help you find materials and places that will satisfy your cravings!Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-91478039186076510712019-09-07T10:00:00.000-04:002019-09-12T10:51:28.476-04:00Book Review: Lily and the Octopus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recently, I decided to look for a new author. I've had so much fun over the years with Steve Alten's novels, and wanted to see if lightning could strike again.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Browsing through the "new authors" section at Barnes & Noble, I came across the first novel by Steven Rowley,<i> <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lily-and-the-Octopus/Steven-Rowley/9781501126239" target="_blank">Lily and the Octopus</a></i>.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, why did I choose this particular book? Was it previously recommended by a friend? - Nope.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a dog on the front (and let's face it - dog books are super 'in' at the moment)? - Nah.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The word OCTOPUS is in the TITLE.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's it. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was my main reason.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am immediately attracted to<i> anything</i> related to the ocean or aquatic life (fresh or salty gladly accepted). I'm still considering reading<i> Saving Fish from Drowning</i> for this exact same reason.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong - I like dogs. But mostly, I was looking for a good summer read - and to jump ahead I will share that I found one in this book. It is incredibly well-written.</span></b></div>
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SPOILER ALERT:</h3>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The octopus in this book is NOT real. It is a metaphor for a tumor plaguing the beloved dachshund of a young man dealing with the horror of losing his best friend (who happens to be the dog).</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a nice balance of drama and the main character certainly is relatable to anyone who has ever been through a breakup, struggled to mesh with their parents, or loved a pet so dearly they cannot imagine life without said creature of comfort.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many different critics note the hilarity within the story. The main character - Ted - talks to his dog. They talk about boys, and play board games. But, I don't find those parts of the book comical. I find it completely realistic and admit to crying before the book's end.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then... it happened.</span></b></div>
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SPOILER ALERT - PART TWO:</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I was okay with Ted talking to the 'octopus' and Lily. I completely accepted how both the dog and 'octopus' spoke back.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I was<i> not</i> okay with him going octopus hunting in the PELAGIC zone. Yeah, out in the open ocean. The main character has the audacity to claim "I've done my research"! No, sir - you have NOT.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Octopus typically live in areas where they can hide - like reefs. While some are found in the ocean depths, a simple Google search will pop up with coastal and shallow areas.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Here is proof, courtesy of <i>National Geographic Kids</i>:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You, my dear author, were more likely hunting squid.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Which makes sense, as squid have much nastier temperaments than octopuses.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I shall make</span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5AowqDwPtk6SRJcojDCttes5iJYiQ7PgsEJJECtduz_m9mhd9b5OT3YefdMdc1YasTReLCnnz3IrJmFydRNxBJsWdLn18J7v-MSGBZJlACm1ajohvt8-fL9MoMbRhyphenhyphensyPW69Oa4RSvo/s1600/20180501_113638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5AowqDwPtk6SRJcojDCttes5iJYiQ7PgsEJJECtduz_m9mhd9b5OT3YefdMdc1YasTReLCnnz3IrJmFydRNxBJsWdLn18J7v-MSGBZJlACm1ajohvt8-fL9MoMbRhyphenhyphensyPW69Oa4RSvo/s320/20180501_113638.jpg" width="240" /></span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the assumption a title of<i> Lily and the Squid</i> was less appealing (although I totally would still have purchased a novel with squid in the title) to the masses, and it was suggested you change it.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Just goes to show how those of us who are emphatically passionate about all things ocean have our pet peeves too. Had it not been so well written, I would have tossed the book in the recycling bin for this very reason.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Perhaps the greatest irony is that I certainly found I had octopus on the brain after reading this book, and chose to express that through the various colorings included in this post.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You KNOW you've read something good when it stays on your mind for weeks, returning now and again as new thoughts churn up.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5AowqDwPtk6SRJcojDCttes5iJYiQ7PgsEJJECtduz_m9mhd9b5OT3YefdMdc1YasTReLCnnz3IrJmFydRNxBJsWdLn18J7v-MSGBZJlACm1ajohvt8-fL9MoMbRhyphenhyphensyPW69Oa4RSvo/s1600/20180501_113638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, the <i>Washington Post</i> (according to the book jacket) claims "YOU! MUST! READ! THIS! BOOK!" - and while the style of this sentence makes me smile due to the direct reference of a character mentioned in the very title (not the octopus), you don't HAVE to read it.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>But I think you'd enjoy it. Just had to warn you about the pelagic error first. I cannot in good conscience recommend a book and let that slide - sorry.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I also expect to see it as a film within the next 5 years. The paperback published in 2017, so I took a quick jaunt over to IMDB and sure enough - "<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8688332/?ref_=nv_sr_2?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">in development</a>" so HA! Read the book first. Then you can be one of those super cool people who has a copy of the book <u>before </u>the movie poster graced the cover. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Goodbye, Summer.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hello, Hurricane Season.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Take care!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>- Callie</b></span><br />
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<br />Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-21359283166454392852019-09-03T17:01:00.000-04:002019-09-03T17:01:39.894-04:00Eco-posts can be found anywhere!Over the past year, I've been honing my craft and stretching outside my comfort zone - to an extent.<br />
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Writing is a form of art, which is important for a person who cannot seem to draw anything more complex and creative than stick figures or balloon animals.<br />
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About two years ago, I left my office at a small nature center and chose to pursue a different passion - and was pleased to find more outlets than I ever imagined!<br />
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This time, I'd like to take a moment and give a shout out to the Quill Café Blog. This portion of a website for office supplies and other resources is dedicated to helping people develop professionally. Some of the tutorials are straight forward - like <a href="https://www.quill.com/blog/tutorials/how-to-clean-and-maintain-a-paper-shredder.html" target="_blank">cleaning a paper shredder</a> - while others can open your eyes.<br />
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I pitched an idea on what officemates could do when somebody walks in asking for donations. Rejecting a person at an event might be easy, but when you face that person everyday at work it's a different story. The cool people at <a href="https://www.quill.com/" target="_blank">Quill</a> let me put together a piece on deciding <a href="https://www.quill.com/blog/office-tips/asked-to-donate-at-work-how-to-decide-how-to-give.html" target="_blank">how to give</a> in ways that reflect you as a person.<br />
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This led to an opportunity on how to celebrate <a href="https://www.quill.com/blog/workplace-culture/beyond-the-3-rs-how-to-celebrate-earth-day-in-the-office.html" target="_blank">Earth Day at the office</a> too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfTW9oSwFYlJa3SMQ2Q8OMNKDrhWXxj7UbUTPDq2bP9B2ntC8ksEmCygYUjilD0TAe8FV3bYhDbTpRumpF37I6uKv6od_4D8mMU7uFsfhCa2SdbXL7yP4kuyVQFLvIIuh17GcFi9vUr4/s1600/Quill-EarthDay.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfTW9oSwFYlJa3SMQ2Q8OMNKDrhWXxj7UbUTPDq2bP9B2ntC8ksEmCygYUjilD0TAe8FV3bYhDbTpRumpF37I6uKv6od_4D8mMU7uFsfhCa2SdbXL7yP4kuyVQFLvIIuh17GcFi9vUr4/s400/Quill-EarthDay.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
But I think my best article for them so far was about my favorite drink - COFFEE. A good friend (thanks, Sarah!) had created a perfect little guide that inspired me to research what all those little labels on the bags of coffee mean.<br />
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I present to you <a href="https://www.quill.com/blog/lifestyle/how-to-choose-environmentally-friendly-responsibly-grown-coffee.html" target="_blank">how to choose your coffee</a> responsibly!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcriPSonLDKykM_p-D_4rEVfne0AglBYBXYvO-WGJCvKqI6qS9oZRWXqUjlqGrye0BWfHnvlys0iNy8aJVFtPbksJ2RYtJPD8etAKabVzxLQBWReZzYOQKIj_74Z4rBGNDB81jgEQnLmA/s1600/Quill-Coffee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="985" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcriPSonLDKykM_p-D_4rEVfne0AglBYBXYvO-WGJCvKqI6qS9oZRWXqUjlqGrye0BWfHnvlys0iNy8aJVFtPbksJ2RYtJPD8etAKabVzxLQBWReZzYOQKIj_74Z4rBGNDB81jgEQnLmA/s400/Quill-Coffee.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thanks, Quill, for giving me an outlet to share some cool ideas!<br />
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-CallieCallie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-18187168872366586432019-01-23T18:13:00.000-05:002019-01-23T18:59:11.302-05:002 Years and over 2 million Pounds with 4Ocean<h4>
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</a>About a week ago, I saw a television commercial about 4Ocean for the first time. It blew my mind and here's why:</h4>
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Non-profits virtually never take the time or funds to create video commercials. Only through the platforms of social media and e-mail have I really seen eco-minded organizations push their message. Incidentally, non-profits are always begging for funding or donations.</h4>
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Our household regularly supports several worthy organizations including the Wounded Warrior Project, WWF, Sierra Club and our local NPR station (WLRN) to name a few. But because of our love for the great outdoors, national parks and community building entities, we have to pick and choose who we can support each year based on our budget.</h4>
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So, to come out to 4Ocean's anniversary celebration and see well over 1,000 people participating in a massive cleanup was jaw-dropping. People of all ages scattered the beach in bright blue 4Ocean gear. We walked along the sand and shoreline and did not see a speck of trash from the event itself (another insane accomplishment).</h4>
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Volunteers, participants and staff all wore smiles too - which is infectious, in a good way.</h4>
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</a>The sorting station was unique. I've attended several dozen cleanups over the years, but never have I seen the clear sorting of recyclables that takes place during a 4Ocean cleanup.</h4>
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At the education "village" - which to be fair was only about a half dozen tents in total - a 4Ocean rep talked about how much 4Ocean recycles at their own facility. THIS fact alone sets these cleanups far apart from others I have attended.</h4>
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I want to take a moment and give a shout out to the organizations who came to share the message and shine light on the big picture for participants or just guests who happen to visit the beach that day.</h4>
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I think Jace spent more time with Morgan at the <a href="http://www.yeafrog.org/" target="_blank">Youth Environmental Alliance</a> tent than anywhere else, save the shoreline.</h4>
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He sorted through a pile of trash, looking for food fit for a sea turtle. He missed a dried up chunk of a jellyfish. This surprised him, because his marine bio ID abilities are not too shabby if I do say so myself. But this enthusiastic educator took the time to make the encounter as meaningful to him as possible. Very cool.</h4>
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The next tent that really resonated was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fau.elasmolab" target="_blank">FAU's Elasmo Lab</a>. Now, yes - I am an OWL. Yes, I feel the research they do is fascinating and important. But, with a last name like "Sharkey" there is no passing up the chance to check out shark related stuff.</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r8xqtBIQJSwWyhoqrpu81T1fZPmigUGVsycqh0fk8TUpCL0wqrmwLprmmqtb1Niowq9_sxpwXzV-D2Pped4IFocsmRP4vOXf2UBjGQBjVEsuA2TF4C1FlqRZMWQ4uZnxRW8rNWOxrrc/s1600/IMG_0140+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1182" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r8xqtBIQJSwWyhoqrpu81T1fZPmigUGVsycqh0fk8TUpCL0wqrmwLprmmqtb1Niowq9_sxpwXzV-D2Pped4IFocsmRP4vOXf2UBjGQBjVEsuA2TF4C1FlqRZMWQ4uZnxRW8rNWOxrrc/s400/IMG_0140+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a hammerhead skull!</td></tr>
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Getting Jace to take the time and focus on shark identification must be credited to Andie (in the photo). While he aced the pop quiz, she kept him interested and the interaction was more than just hey, did you know sharks' lose thousands of teeth?</h4>
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As an educator myself, I always appreciate when the material presented fits the level of the audience. So, kudos to you, Andie.</h4>
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And of course, this entire event took place ON THE BEACH, which I didn't expect. I figured the organization would be focused on just getting people there, but realized the intent was so much more. 4Ocean actually forced people to set foot on the beach where it was difficult not to sign up for the clean up itself. You wanted to stand in line and get your gloves and bag. You wanted to search for trash or help sort. You WANTED a shirt or a bracelet - or both.</h4>
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The business model 4Ocean runs is just that - a BUSINESS model. They are not, nor do they claim to be, a non-profit. The only donation jar at the event I saw was at one of the non-profit partners who brought educational materials to share with participants.</h4>
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This makes supporting their work easier for many. For example, there was not cost to participate in the cleanup and the company was giving away bracelets when cleanup gear was returned.</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad taking a moment to teach Jace how to identify weed lines from shore.</td></tr>
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We don't need an excuse to explore the beach. We are already a family that doesn't leave trash behind and recycles and attends cleanups. Yet walking along a packed beach filled with people who care is truly inspirational.</h4>
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One suggestion I can make regarding the 4Ocean product tent - there were no t-shirts in kid sizes. I saw many children there who were way too small for an adult shirt (mine included), and we would have stood in line to make a purchase or two had there been anything for him.</h4>
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Something unexpected happened shortly before we left the event. The 4Ocean buggy got stuff in soft beach sand. Now, what you may not realize is that both of the organization's founders are in this photo. Both of them helped push the vehicle out after plotting a better path to avoid spraying sand everywhere or putting deep ruts on the beach. It may seem small, but for a fairly young company with fairly young founders, this is the type of thing I love to see.</h4>
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I have reviewed the <a href="https://offshoreaquaholic.blogspot.com/2018/09/product-review-4ocean-bracelets.html" target="_blank">4Ocean bracelets</a>, and to a small extent, the company in the past. My shark bracelet lasted a full six months of torture - from slogging (which is exactly what it sounds like) and snorkeling to roller coaster-filled theme parks without ever taking a break. Since they don't set off metal detectors at check points for concerts, etc., it literally never came off - until the cord gave way while folding laundry and the glass beads hit the floor.</h4>
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The beads went into the blue recycling bin and I went back to the website to find the January color was my favorite - purple. The Hawaiian monk seals will benefit from this purchase in addition to the pound pulled. I'm good with that.</h4>
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Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-85719328891055905232018-10-08T19:07:00.002-04:002018-10-08T19:09:26.329-04:00Local Review: Grassy Waters Preserve<u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br />
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Recently, I had the opportunity to spend the day with my mom so I wanted to take her somewhere new while going easy on the pocketbook.</h3>
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We ended up at the City of West Palm Beach's <a href="http://wpb.org/Departments/Grassy-Waters-Preserve/Grassy-Waters-Preserve-Home" target="_blank">Grassy Waters Preserve</a>. This free facility is a great way to see restored Everglades up close and personal. The Cypress Boardwalk Trail is a 1-mile loop that allows you to see, feel and smell the wetlands without slogging in the muck.</h3>
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The cypress trees - from their tall tips to the knobby "knees" jutting up through the water - are one of my favorite trees in Florida. I've never been a big fan of the scrub foliage or the hardwood forests when compared to the dynamic nature of the wetlands.</h3>
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There are wide open sections, where you can see the paths gently cut through the spikes of grass by canoes, kayaks and the local wildlife, including alligators.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8UTimxVK2-7OY2buipU7tAoghfbnOO-yZPyRhsOF1u3nl84JwAydSdFCTiwdPk4p8QNwgx3fors-8-28Swx86W_kSqsuM1LkF20wpGhX7-iNSHEZHBJcI4tnaiRkVmqurhKurLINHhI/s1600/IMG_8121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8UTimxVK2-7OY2buipU7tAoghfbnOO-yZPyRhsOF1u3nl84JwAydSdFCTiwdPk4p8QNwgx3fors-8-28Swx86W_kSqsuM1LkF20wpGhX7-iNSHEZHBJcI4tnaiRkVmqurhKurLINHhI/s400/IMG_8121.JPG" width="400" /></a>The wild feel of the flora and fauna are special at Grassy Waters. The facility brings you closer to Old Florida in more ways than one.</h3>
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The facility has a lovely little welcome center that houses rotating exhibits. On this visit, we enjoyed artifacts from the Native Americans who lived in and migrated through the wetlands.</h3>
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I visit Grassy Waters about every six months or so, and love that there are new displays on a regular basis, but I am also partial to the permanent displays like the live turtles and taxidermized animals.</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have never seen an osprey that didn't look angry!</td></tr>
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This place is truly a representation of tax dollars doing great things. This portion of the Everglades is managed by WPB's Public Utilities Division - don't you wish the "water works" card in Monopoly was this cool?</h3>
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If staying on the boardwalk checking out the wildlife and plants is not close enough for you, sign up for one of the guided canoe or kayak tours.</h3>
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And for those who prefer the slogging, the Nature Center has Swamp Tromps too. Check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrassyWatersPreserve/" target="_blank">Grassy Water Facebook Pag</a>e to see what events are coming soon.</h3>
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But this was a short trip, only about an hour, so we stuck to the boardwalk. I enjoy the cypress domes (didn't I mention how much I love those trees?) and how they literally create tree islands. The history unearthed from islands like these are still being discovered in areas of Florida that were drained and developed more than 80 years ago.</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical cypress dome - with the oldest trees and tallest trees near the center</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN8aDQlpArCJ0Wy8mmsYKqDX0ZPNF-BB-bh9mXydTz6NmweA92TEVjjBvee93n_N-xnUN73wv2zcX8IzWSBwOx4TMnsGaVpK9OdPwXIeU4QnjgopSsp4_uNJHFvVDD_tWDb7azqp-Zp4/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN8aDQlpArCJ0Wy8mmsYKqDX0ZPNF-BB-bh9mXydTz6NmweA92TEVjjBvee93n_N-xnUN73wv2zcX8IzWSBwOx4TMnsGaVpK9OdPwXIeU4QnjgopSsp4_uNJHFvVDD_tWDb7azqp-Zp4/s400/IMG_8125.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickerelweed has some of the prettiest flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK4aRxoP_o9beaCeRhqFBPhbfHrOSHH7yzOeD9Q0XI1klWKVqqS9V1G9zoAaYY0xkI2ek71JHmy04mvDKZG0LCxFEp7awN8NbvODuF-X6d1kBjN0CBS8Jjy8qAa18ZCI1FoTiCCMCVgs/s1600/IMG_8131+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK4aRxoP_o9beaCeRhqFBPhbfHrOSHH7yzOeD9Q0XI1klWKVqqS9V1G9zoAaYY0xkI2ek71JHmy04mvDKZG0LCxFEp7awN8NbvODuF-X6d1kBjN0CBS8Jjy8qAa18ZCI1FoTiCCMCVgs/s320/IMG_8131+%25282%2529.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMuvnlKQXO6SlqaHKjCxrcoyF7syblaKE6xxURF0SEac8JigG7fXDYW18XnhXC6jOCm1jE0U9zhhtUmyXOVc8aX7ZelwmYqamDdbknjmuzph3_HViKFK2GLPGBseGJWCb9ioybrW_J4s/s1600/IMG_8139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMuvnlKQXO6SlqaHKjCxrcoyF7syblaKE6xxURF0SEac8JigG7fXDYW18XnhXC6jOCm1jE0U9zhhtUmyXOVc8aX7ZelwmYqamDdbknjmuzph3_HViKFK2GLPGBseGJWCb9ioybrW_J4s/s400/IMG_8139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck potato and water lilies</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
I missed the chance to photograph a juvenile alligator, but did catch this beautiful great egret who didn't seem to mind me hanging around one bit.</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom's favorite view</td></tr>
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<h3>
So, this place has an area for little ones inside the air conditioned center and programs at their level, but you can also find things for history buffs. There are places to sit and relax if the walk seems too much to tackle at one time. And it's FREE. Seriously,<i> not</i> taking the time to check this place out is inexcusable.</h3>
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Maybe take your mom like I did - she had fun and found another reason to consider moving to my side of the Sunshine State.</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busted - Why did I let my mom have my phone?</td></tr>
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Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-47976760740613887652018-09-13T09:20:00.001-04:002018-09-13T10:34:47.049-04:00Product Review: 4Ocean Bracelets<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKHntJvDMd1I_uDqEKi7A2l-1XInnXIK-hJUwxaPeZNXshV1PDQjz_Ca2hfWCrdQUTwplNvkcdwZkVpCbQAjy6uLT6Sz80i8YeymfHSAQTFd_kGjSuu27_Lncs88j9fYE3YNxO-066Gg/s1600/4ocean+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKHntJvDMd1I_uDqEKi7A2l-1XInnXIK-hJUwxaPeZNXshV1PDQjz_Ca2hfWCrdQUTwplNvkcdwZkVpCbQAjy6uLT6Sz80i8YeymfHSAQTFd_kGjSuu27_Lncs88j9fYE3YNxO-066Gg/s640/4ocean+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe you saw them on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/these-millennials-started-a-business-to-rid-the-world-s-oceans-of-plastic-1267953219653?v=railb&" target="_blank">Today Show</a> back in July, or perhaps the adds have popped up on your cell phone while browsing Facebook or playing games - but the question came up, "Who are these 4Ocean guys?"</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I decided to find out.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://4ocean.com/" target="_blank">4Ocean</a> is a business. They are not, nor do they claim to be, a not for profit entity.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The business model is simple: turn marine debris into a commodity.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ultimate goals include creating jobs around the world and working to alter the mentality of our view on trash. Some countries lack the fundamental infrastructure to recycle plastics and other goods, so they see trash as just, well, there. It is a part of life like weeds on your lawn. Deal with it or don't.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jobs are created as crews are hired, and in some countries like Haiti people are garnering a better wage fishing for trash than actual fish. This helps attack both the problems of irresponsible overfishing and addressing trash in the marine ecosystem. Funding for the equipment, employees, etc. comes from the sale of small bracelets and other 4Ocean-branded items.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition, each month 4Ocean has a new partner in support of a specific ocean-related cause. For instance, back in June it was sea turtle research. Now I happen to have personal connections to the FAU lab that worked with the 4Ocean team and they had only great things to say about the company when I asked.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bracelets themselves are made of recycled glass and polyester, and mine hold up just fine no matter what I'm doing, from washing the car to riding a roller coaster. When properly adjusted, the bracelet stays put.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44bKNnkQN0xama2GdYV-9kqQ0qmSBaJi3viOv5TKIBYIn9VdA5wAwLKqcYkHT9cxjmGkCosMrcXF77e5TrsweRd-DgqOIo1It6MLCAfS05eNvFw02SQZIiDaVS5Wvb3sdlJF3993sczE/s1600/Mom4ocean.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44bKNnkQN0xama2GdYV-9kqQ0qmSBaJi3viOv5TKIBYIn9VdA5wAwLKqcYkHT9cxjmGkCosMrcXF77e5TrsweRd-DgqOIo1It6MLCAfS05eNvFw02SQZIiDaVS5Wvb3sdlJF3993sczE/s320/Mom4ocean.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My mom even sent me a photo!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom was curious at this simple bauble that had me so excited, so I shared the story of 4Ocean with her. The response? She wanted one for her birthday! 4Ocean's website made it easy to send one as a gift, and she received it in about a week.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was happy with the commitment by 4Ocean to pull a pound of trash from the ocean in exchange for the support.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cool stuff. It allows people who don't live anywhere near the ocean to make a difference in waters across the globe.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This dynamic new business plan did more than inspire me - it made me want to work there! So, I applied for a job since the headquarters is here in south Florida. I was thrilled to get a call back and even the chance to interview with the company in person. While I was not their choice for hire, I learned so much more about the organization and its people.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
For instance, every single person - whether they wore jeans or polos or dresses - every one who walked in or out of the front door acknowledged me while I sat in the lobby waiting. Some said hello, others waved, but all of them smiled. Happy people do not bother to say hi. They don't ask how a stranger is doing when they have no reason to meet or speak with them. The staff were all just nice. This is in Boca Raton people! (that just doesn't happen)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Now that you know the bracelets and people behind them are following through on the promise to work towards cleaner oceans, don't forget this weekend is the <a href="https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/" target="_blank">International Coastal Cleanup</a>! A time when organizations and volunteers all over the world get out to tackle the trash first hand.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
4Ocean is working in Boston for the big weekend, but also hosts <a href="https://4ocean.com/pages/cleanups-event-calendar" target="_blank">cleanups worldwide</a> throughout the year.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Here in Palm Beach County, the non-profit <a href="https://www.keeppbcbeautiful.org/" target="_blank">Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful</a> coordinates with other local agencies for a massive event. This year, 34 different organizations are partnering up, and we are joining the <a href="http://sea2shore.org/" target="_blank">Sea 2 Shore Alliance</a> this weekend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again we will use the <a href="https://offshoreaquaholic.blogspot.com/2017/12/app-review-clean-swell.html" target="_blank">Clean Swell app</a> to help track the data (i.e. trash) collected too. This data is extremely important in helping learn more about our trash and better address the problem based on a specific region's needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://offshoreaquaholic.blogspot.com/2017/11/" target="_blank">Last year</a>, Jacen and I had a great experience in Delray Beach, and we are ready for a great weekend in Boynton Beach too. I wonder what weird junk we might find?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just keep swimming, and if this weekend is no good check for local cleanups in your area. They are probably happening at least once a month!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Callie</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-7747903440189473962018-09-03T07:30:00.000-04:002018-09-03T14:38:31.708-04:00Trash Talk turned Trash Walk - 1 year later<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Behold! The most money I have made while picking up trash over the past year!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVasn9p6ASHZDPPNLZ9mBlBYK5w1Bir3Ex1u8tin6U5HV58mbQocHjHqgOGw_IuhuDnXD0pm1u0Tx1lOrW6hr13MDNfdaYC7E3YxVIchtn7Azfyd8rDU93aEpQAEhdcoSLN2lN-C1sKU/s1600/20171014_111545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVasn9p6ASHZDPPNLZ9mBlBYK5w1Bir3Ex1u8tin6U5HV58mbQocHjHqgOGw_IuhuDnXD0pm1u0Tx1lOrW6hr13MDNfdaYC7E3YxVIchtn7Azfyd8rDU93aEpQAEhdcoSLN2lN-C1sKU/s400/20171014_111545.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I suppose it's nothing to really brag about, but <a href="https://offshoreaquaholic.blogspot.com/2017/09/trash-talk-turned-trash-walk.html" target="_blank">a year ago</a> Hurricane Irma struck my area pretty hard. In my neighborhood flooding was severe, but since we are near lakes the water level receded fairly quickly. The amount of debris and trash left everywhere appalled me, and while I was walking my dogs, I started picking up trash when I picked up doggy doo.<br />
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Now you are all caught up!<br />
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Several months after my community service / dog walking began regularly, I heard about <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/02/23/plogging-is-the-swedish-fitness-craze-for-people-who-want-to-save-the-planet-its-making-its-way-to-the-u-s/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7c3fcd347489" target="_blank">plogging</a> - the Swedish trend of picking up trash while jogging.<br />
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Now, I HATE running. It is quite literally my second least favorite thing in the world.<br />
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But... I ain't gettin' any younger, and my smaller dog<i> loves</i> to run. The daily haul from my neighborhood - save for the week after Independence Day - has shrunk to 1-2 lbs of trash each day. That includes expanding the walk to every street in my little area.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">So in July I started … running. Well, jogging/walking/crawling - whatever gets me home eventually. The two-mile circuit goes around several neighborhoods in a giant loop that is heavily trafficked and trashy as a result. </span><br />
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The first month, Thor and I pulled about 5 lbs of trash 3 - 4 times each week (cuz there is not way I am running<i> every single day</i>). Now we get closer to 3 lbs each circuit, but my pace is faster and I've lost nearly 10 lbs as a bonus.<br />
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My incentives?<br />
- Every time I stop for trash, I get a 10-second walking rest. I have never wanted to find trash so badly.<br />
- Picking up trash makes me feel as though the run serves a purpose. For those who hate running, and see moving fast without being chased by a bear as a complete waste of energy, having a bag full of debris gives me motivation to go out and do it again.<br />
- It is really great for my dog's health too. We don't have a yard, and this mutt loves to run. Sometimes he pulls me (the leash is attached around my waist, not my wrist) and sometimes I get him moving, but as a running partner it's a good fit.<br />
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I have received exactly three acknowledgements from strangers in the past year. Two people in the neighborhood have said "thank you" and just last week an elderly gentleman on my two-mile run beamed at me and said "Good for you! Way to go!" and I've decided to take it as a compliment.<br />
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But the biggest compliment came from my husband. He bought me a new pair of running shoes and a motivational magnet for the fridge. Thanks, babe!<br />
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<br />Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-79850571253864912782018-08-31T21:31:00.000-04:002018-08-31T21:31:00.957-04:00The Shark Bite Donut: Dunkin's Disappointment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are like me, then all things ocean grab your attention.<br />
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So when we dropped by <a href="https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog/sink-your-teeth-into-our-shark-bite-donut" target="_blank">Dunkin Donuts</a> for a treat, the Shark Bite donuts were an unexpected surprise and immediately a must-have. And while I'm quick to admit the actual donut isn't nearly as pretty in reality as in the advertisements, this simple glazed donut with white frosting and small shark-shaped sugary sprinkles is tasty.<br />
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Once the sweet tooth is satisfied, though, I wondered why the donut was even available? Well, Dunkin realized that <a href="https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/shark-week/about" target="_blank">Shark Week</a> is now one of the most popular television events of the year - so much now that the company decided to celebrate like other seasonal holidays with a themed donut.<br />
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But the conservationist in me was disappointed. Dunkin chooses not to provide any information or support (<i>that I found</i> - PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong) about sharks themselves, leaving me with a feeling of nothing more than capitalization and pure exploitation on the popularity of the subject.<br />
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No business is required to go beyond their strategic plan and of course the purpose is to make money, but I have to admit when companies go that extra mile and reach out for the greater good, they will receive my patronage far more often. The Shark Bite donut made us smile for the day, but it nothing more than that.<br />
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Maybe I am naïve for thinking that a little research would show Dunkin Donuts supporting the cause for shark conservation, but alas, the company has been a sponsor of Discovery's Shark Week for several years now and that appears to be the extent. So in the end, I even have to give credit to The Discovery Channel's <a href="https://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-newsroom/discovery-takes-a-bite-out-of-retail-with-massive-shark-week-30th-anniversary-merchandising-program/" target="_blank">ability to market </a>their week of shark-related programs instead of Dunkin's desire to make an impact.<br />
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Guess I'll stick to making my coffee at home.<br />
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-CallieCallie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-38619709047240404382018-08-18T16:48:00.001-04:002018-08-18T16:48:25.184-04:00Movie Review: The MEG<br />
DISCLAIMER:<br />
<i>I read the original</i> MEG<i> book not long after it first came out and hit the </i>NY Times<i> bestseller list. I have waited YEARS for this film. That being said, the review is meant for people who didn't read all or even a single book in the series. I HATE spoilers, so you are safe to read the books and watch the movie.</i> Enjoy!<br />
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I squealed during this movie.<br />
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Yes, I enjoy shark movies. From the iconic music of<i> Jaws</i> to the hilarity of the<i> Sharknado</i> series, I am a fan of sharks. But I also realize that not all of these movies are equal. As a marine biologist, I get peeved when I see films of hammerheads attacking humans in the same way a birder is annoyed at the red-tail hawk's cry that plays when an eagle flies by on film.<br />
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But I can get behind <i><a href="http://www.themeg.movie/home" target="_blank">The Meg</a></i>.<br />
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Like Jurassic Park in its infancy, the film takes elements from the book(s) and creates new characters with names you already know. There is enough tie to the original story to keep MEGHEADS happy without making newcomers feel like they are missing out on an inside joke.<br />
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The star power is mostly on Jason Statham's shoulders, but there are still other actors that are just recognizable enough to feel familiar, but still able to slide into the role of each character. I was a bit concerned at first with the casting of Meiying (the little girl), but her weirdly endearing performance grew on me by the end of the film.<br />
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If you want an action film, here you go -<i> The Meg</i> fills the screen with intensity and larger than life stunts. While the current 17,000+<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank"> ratings on IMDB</a> give it only a 6.2 / 10, and <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_meg/" target="_blank">Rotten Tomatoes ranks</a> it a paltry 5.5, one must first accept what they are going to see. IT'S A SHARK MOVIE.<br />
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If you are expecting to have your inner monologue forever shift into deep reflection, this is not the film for you. It is an action movie - expect explosions.<br />
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As a long-time shark<i> and</i> movie lover, the marine biologist in me was thrilled with a few homage moments to the film that started it all. But I was beside myself with glee when a line from<i> Finding Nemo</i> worked its way in too! Even the moments spent explaining the horrors of shark finning are important ties that keep you moving forward in the story.<br />
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From a special effects standpoint, the submersibles and gliders felt cutting edge but realistic. The "bubble" expected in a movie sub could never withstand the trench depths, so the creators used cameras to create a full scene inside the cockpit. That was just plain brilliant.<br />
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If you are afraid of sharks, this is not the film for you -sorry. If you prefer a golden chainsaw as a means of protection from finned predators, then be aware<i> The Meg</i> manages to bring prehistoric creatures to life without going cheesy.<br />
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But if at the end of the movie, you had fun - then I highly recommend trying out the series of<i> MEG</i> books. The last installment just found my doorstep today.<br />
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Here comes the personal stuff now<br />
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I met the author years ago. Well, I didn't meet him the first time. I went to a late night Barnes and Noble book signing for Steve Alten but his schedule was mixed up and he missed the meet and greet. I spent over an hour instead talking about his books with<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SteveAlten/" target="_blank"> other fans</a> until the store closed.<br />
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Alten reached out and won my heart forever. He not only scheduled a new signing, but sent me an autographed poster as an apology. It still hangs in my son's room now. This man worked for years to create a fun series with an injection of science - always pushing his readers to ask more questions once the book is shut.<br />
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Whether it is his tenacity to write diverse novels, or his training regiment to continue fighting Parkinson's' disease, <a href="https://www.stevealten.com/" target="_blank">Steve Alten</a> plays a role that inspired me to start writing in the first place. So, thank you, Steve. I loved your movie and hope to watch a documentary on you someday too.<br />
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-Callie<br />
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<br />Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-48381715892995134362018-07-29T12:50:00.001-04:002018-07-29T12:50:22.964-04:00Local Review: Jupiter Lighthouse Museum<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In case you haven't noticed, my bucket list is extremely important. It provides direction and motivation when getting out of bed before 7 am is way down the list of priorities.<br />
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I worked less than a mile away from the iconic <a href="https://www.jupiterlighthouse.org/" target="_blank">Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse</a> for two years, and never made it up the steps. When a very close friend became ill with his second fight against cancer, we made the promise to climb the tower together once he felt up to it.<br />
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Danny ended up in the hospital a few short weeks after our conversation (I had tried to make arrangements prior but he did not feet well enough for a walk), and never went home. Heartbroken, I resolved to make the climb for him. Motivation is a precious thing to waste, and I have since made the climb twice.<br />
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<span style="color: black;">Brave the 105 steps, with four small window stops - one facing each major point of the compass to allow for airflow regardless of wind direction - and receive a reward. One of the most spectacular views in Florida awaits.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The fully functioning lighthouse is not available to visit without registering for an official tour, and the land is federally regulated. This iconic building, proudly shooting a beam into the night that is visible 30 miles out since 1860, is the product of partnerships. The Coast Guard, Bureau of Land Management and the Loxahatchee Historical Society work together to keep the lighthouse lit for those at sea and accessible to those on land.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmdKDSDXhyphenhyphenEhTS_F7CtN4Pr6oL2FVQ8wUlcMkW9eBrIE8u_4M4bCRNJph0r5WZzcAlM4xrdyKgbf-nftNIe-ZACR65OMYLMBKAq-al0ZU_1r01uPIYnjp7JjYgzZwDwGoG7j3Jh-PMSA/s1600/20171208_110317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmdKDSDXhyphenhyphenEhTS_F7CtN4Pr6oL2FVQ8wUlcMkW9eBrIE8u_4M4bCRNJph0r5WZzcAlM4xrdyKgbf-nftNIe-ZACR65OMYLMBKAq-al0ZU_1r01uPIYnjp7JjYgzZwDwGoG7j3Jh-PMSA/s320/20171208_110317.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggs_XjyRAYeq79AozXDIx5DqcGSTY_Kl_MTzcb6B4d25wJSI-puCeEeP9pNkSDzCnj2WXJGnKmB0fAg6aOCxt_DkyOz-Ic8U2ivxwKGA1osvveD9k6rPjktlrlj0ya0JIBHA0uVkpUwRM/s1600/20171208_111343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggs_XjyRAYeq79AozXDIx5DqcGSTY_Kl_MTzcb6B4d25wJSI-puCeEeP9pNkSDzCnj2WXJGnKmB0fAg6aOCxt_DkyOz-Ic8U2ivxwKGA1osvveD9k6rPjktlrlj0ya0JIBHA0uVkpUwRM/s320/20171208_111343.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The Frenel lens fascinated me as much as the extensive tour of the other historical buildings led by Janet.</div>
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From Native American middens to the keeper's workshop, the 125 acres of land includes more than the lighthouse.</div>
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My favorite part had to be the large ficus tree, planted in 1935.</div>
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Danny was a history buff far beyond my reach, and as he was a big fan of <a href="https://www.theadventuresofcharliepierce.com/" target="_blank">Charlie Pierce</a> stories we had to visit all the wonderful buildings in his honor.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfEKyhihnYwH37GeFkZm5nsX_PQhr8sYVgOHEN6AN-KCoACaWH-L9PcdLgKMGHY9O0NPuzVWcs_mDvVBck8lKXxbI4d8F9jfri-es3cnHia4CrIH0vqIBKnnCZXcl48gBnQt_1ve1IJc/s1600/20171208_111124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfEKyhihnYwH37GeFkZm5nsX_PQhr8sYVgOHEN6AN-KCoACaWH-L9PcdLgKMGHY9O0NPuzVWcs_mDvVBck8lKXxbI4d8F9jfri-es3cnHia4CrIH0vqIBKnnCZXcl48gBnQt_1ve1IJc/s1600/20171208_111124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfEKyhihnYwH37GeFkZm5nsX_PQhr8sYVgOHEN6AN-KCoACaWH-L9PcdLgKMGHY9O0NPuzVWcs_mDvVBck8lKXxbI4d8F9jfri-es3cnHia4CrIH0vqIBKnnCZXcl48gBnQt_1ve1IJc/s320/20171208_111124.jpg" width="240" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhmN7hAoVNdgxvRMOjHKNSIKfEu1s0i_Lj2UQ5ymn37LVq00ccnUlsWenNyVavOlljelY-G83G4UrNMn3L94VAZPfzQLfpe4P-TKUfaRhAz9YavXhfhYO6IoaFS5HHeMWF9ErpjCztyY/s1600/20171208_111118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhmN7hAoVNdgxvRMOjHKNSIKfEu1s0i_Lj2UQ5ymn37LVq00ccnUlsWenNyVavOlljelY-G83G4UrNMn3L94VAZPfzQLfpe4P-TKUfaRhAz9YavXhfhYO6IoaFS5HHeMWF9ErpjCztyY/s320/20171208_111118.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome friend Shannon exploring and a<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">n exhibit telling the history of Charlie Pierce</span>.</td></tr>
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From the Tindel House to the Pennocks, Jupiter's history is truly represented in the different exhibits. Even the Chiki with its 3000 sabal palm fronds shows the care staff and volunteers take with every aspect of the facility.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT9oeAPXMsrDDoZJgPkZDphF8VlcdMf1xbLiLRkh9lAzLRN8BYVJHlcM-HtaMw1r8tDTiPf_5zj4d3t_5DpPOyKIpx13X97ibVMIleTxW_pj2LcmGouyASMjGuxHMOrQgQhWFV-2XaHg/s1600/20171208_112749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT9oeAPXMsrDDoZJgPkZDphF8VlcdMf1xbLiLRkh9lAzLRN8BYVJHlcM-HtaMw1r8tDTiPf_5zj4d3t_5DpPOyKIpx13X97ibVMIleTxW_pj2LcmGouyASMjGuxHMOrQgQhWFV-2XaHg/s320/20171208_112749.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously - 3000 fronds?!</td></tr>
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Well, I can't post this without including the highlight views mentioned before - so here you go!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim's time at the lighthouse means he has forgotten more than I will ever know!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jupiter Inlet at its finest</td></tr>
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This past year without Danny as my muse and sounding board inspired me to spot waiting for adventure. His mantra to me was "be better today than I was yesterday", and I take those words to heart.<br />
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It took far too long to get this post moving, because despite the wonderful facility and staff I couldn't seem to get the words down. But I took a second trip with some friends from out of state and realized that sharing the experience is how to best show respect.<br />
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The Jupiter Lighthouse is well worth the time to visit. There is lots to do at the museum on site and a lovely little giftshop with Florida-unique items. Even if you are not physically up for the climb, the exhibits and other historical buildings make for a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jupiterinletlighthousemuseum/" target="_blank">fun field trip</a> perfect for grown ups.<br />
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The price is <u>less</u> than reasonable (as in cheap, people!) and knowing you are preserving history while connecting with Old Florida is just icing on the cake.<br />
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Don't put off the items on your bucket list. Don't wait to visit the places and people that make the area around your home special. Take the time for small adventures - it will always be worth the climb.<br />
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-Callie<br />
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<br />Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-35582488419575191202018-03-18T09:44:00.001-04:002018-03-18T10:01:19.429-04:00Local Review: Mounts Botanical Gardens & the Washed Ashore Exhibit<h3 style="text-align: center;">
I do not
have a green thumb.</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
I managed
to kill an air plant - an air plant. They survive and thrive without
roots.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_7KixkTAjTUrPJI3UmAr7iWrV6I7NtHFhhPURBcivnU4PLxYVO8e1r6eA3IYt_9X-FBIuwK4n8Ujqr-mOmCbkv4h3SJL8QZB5Xgv5jiJmslx-7SjxlK8-MS7WZmiBpNtzzjWiQek1I8/s1600/IMG_7544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_7KixkTAjTUrPJI3UmAr7iWrV6I7NtHFhhPURBcivnU4PLxYVO8e1r6eA3IYt_9X-FBIuwK4n8Ujqr-mOmCbkv4h3SJL8QZB5Xgv5jiJmslx-7SjxlK8-MS7WZmiBpNtzzjWiQek1I8/s320/IMG_7544.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air plant growing upside down in the test of a sea urchin</td></tr>
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<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
When
invited to join the Master Gardeners, I politely explained that I respected
what they did and it was out of such respect that I chose to steer clear of
their hard work lest I inadvertently destroy their efforts entirely.</h3>
<h3>
My
husband doesn’t let me water the plants unless it is the middle of the summer
and he is on a 48-hr shift, and we are in the middle of a drought. He actually
has our 8-yr old do it whenever possible instead. The two of them will go
outside and talk to plants like the ever-blooming bleeding-heart vine behind
our house or the cucumber seedlings on the back porch – even the avocado tree
they are growing for me (since I’m
the only one who likes them) gets a pep talk. I am not permitted to speak to
the plants.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></h3>
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</h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
I am the
evil mustache-less twin of the Lorax.</h3>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<h3>
I killed the snapdragon bestowed upon me by the fabulous Farmer Jay (<a href="https://www.myfarmerjay.com/" target="_blank">Farmer Jay's Pure Organics</a>). That hurt. His motto is “grow something” and I felt particularly
embarrassed when the plant died. (Incidentally, Farmer Jay’s Ted Talk is very much worth the time too)</h3>
<h3>
So how
does Mounts Botanical Garden, an iconic place with a huge following, get a
sworn “not a plant person” onto the property? Simple. Host a special exhibit
with a connection to the OCEAN. Of course! Why hadn’t they thought of it
before? I’ve been in south Florida for nearly 20 years now and never set foot
on the grounds. I finally realized where it was just in the past 2 years. But I
am not a plant person. I’m a water baby. </h3>
<h3>
I am
also, as you may have read in previous posts, a person who has a penchant for
picking up trash. I present to you the coup de grâce on how to get a beach
person to a land locked garden: host an exhibit of giant sea-inspired statues
crafted entirely out of trash pulled from the surf and sand.<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></span><br />
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<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
One of my
goals (some people call them resolutions, but I tend to break those pretty
quickly) this year was to try 30 new things. This includes visiting places
buried on my to-do list and over the years I crossed paths with many wonderful
people who volunteer, work or regularly visit Mounts. It was on the list, but
as we have established, I am not a plant person. I needed a push.</h3>
<h3>
Not only
did this exhibit inspire me to visit, the magnitude and message were not lost.
I enjoyed the project a great deal and even managed to explore the entire garden
on my own armed with a camera to keep me from touching, and possible placing a
curse on, any of the flora. “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea” is running for
six months – with the exhibit concluding in June 2018 and I highly recommend
giving this moving and intense exhibition your time.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tdE5eiyjNLLPu0fQ8-38TZfrs3Coszc0SfQDYqjYELLmUXZPCr-GmOxFi1MLZBxQG3e6legM7yM6Mx0k29dMdZQ3pqrNmsPfigtq81yh1yN_JFmOpxFCUT4_oSJF2-daRY4uBGpC01Q/s1600/IMG_7453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tdE5eiyjNLLPu0fQ8-38TZfrs3Coszc0SfQDYqjYELLmUXZPCr-GmOxFi1MLZBxQG3e6legM7yM6Mx0k29dMdZQ3pqrNmsPfigtq81yh1yN_JFmOpxFCUT4_oSJF2-daRY4uBGpC01Q/s320/IMG_7453.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So<i> this</i> is how starfruit grows!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8XMpVjLeOZMPFWrxoQc0zcrjdpxAyzoePxYxU8rQuA123MqdrKFrgWVp2jEIzP3qmJLJYpa9IbTaRBzyWi6U3hdvd387wYhnxZ_g8_BxwONY6ZPC5L71JW0j5l1NdJM4I5FcEnZbOcE/s1600/IMG_7465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8XMpVjLeOZMPFWrxoQc0zcrjdpxAyzoePxYxU8rQuA123MqdrKFrgWVp2jEIzP3qmJLJYpa9IbTaRBzyWi6U3hdvd387wYhnxZ_g8_BxwONY6ZPC5L71JW0j5l1NdJM4I5FcEnZbOcE/s320/IMG_7465.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></span><br />
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<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Temporarily
“planted” along the paths throughout the 14 acres of MBG are ten massive
statues, each telling a tale of both sadness and hope. This is just a sample of
artwork from the project, however, as they have a home gallery in Oregon, and
traveling exhibitions currently in Chicago, Washington D.C., and Sarasota.
There really is no excuse not to find visit when it comes to your area, and you
will not likely see works of this magnitude elsewhere.</h3>
<h3>
I have
seen trash-based exhibits before, often at museums or science centers, but
those were usually only one or two marine themed pieces comingled with other
constructs. The Washed Ashore not only has a clear message about plastic in our
oceans, but even the sculptures themselves have a very specific theme based on
their components. One thing that struck me in particular – the use of color
without the use of paint. All the colors and textures you see in these statues
are intentional and still true to their former life as a piece of flotsam.</h3>
<h3>
My visit
took place on a cloudy weekday, and even then, the basic parking lot was full.
There was a workshop going on for actual plant people, and combined with the
guests walking in I chose to take my map and go through the gardens in reverse.
In respect to the works and direction in which the items were actually placed,
however, here is the special exhibition for you to enjoy. Know that these
photos in no way do the statues justice as they are huge and, in some cases, downright
imposing.</h3>
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</span></span>
<br />
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
“American”
Sea Star is based on items leftover from Independence Day celebrations in
America. The marine biologist in me must point out and give a heartfelt thank
you to the artist for not calling it a ‘starfish’.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvEeKzWp-wxQQE_8yzr7hZDXJHNN_VkwTn9FRaA0rzhtAc7QH0rFcpFe00I8eXvEOSprXV3psI7hD9yHfic_7zUGOqUsD8vfEQL4mcgPD4-lkv-57WVk57jzKlvmiSjIitzUiINLXNSA/s1600/IMG_7434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvEeKzWp-wxQQE_8yzr7hZDXJHNN_VkwTn9FRaA0rzhtAc7QH0rFcpFe00I8eXvEOSprXV3psI7hD9yHfic_7zUGOqUsD8vfEQL4mcgPD4-lkv-57WVk57jzKlvmiSjIitzUiINLXNSA/s200/IMG_7434.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobGRlrwBsM4VAcptPjnxkesBs7bnGvqlnrYro4n_Q2E4kbqpLJSNWsx2UEhXyzo_auxJ3t6B650DKJ6Fy5_XLpu37-ibYTB6cOA62efEoDnfDGx6T6s2RXh5uF3zO9P5k5JUb070SVio/s1600/IMG_7437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobGRlrwBsM4VAcptPjnxkesBs7bnGvqlnrYro4n_Q2E4kbqpLJSNWsx2UEhXyzo_auxJ3t6B650DKJ6Fy5_XLpu37-ibYTB6cOA62efEoDnfDGx6T6s2RXh5uF3zO9P5k5JUb070SVio/s200/IMG_7437.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was particularly disturbed by the shotgun shells. Not exactly expected marine debris.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span></span><br />
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Marine
Debris Anemone focuses on single-use plastic bottles, but I found the most
moving part of the work the use of color derived from unwound sections of rope
and line.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO5kAtVCbs93npDpsmbVLmozKYxz4IezVxpTRq2HoQbE9S3YAMTNzOdkBkfWQDq04fYiqtWJukh6YJ5B-cXAxbhNjUuw1bAZbnhkd_dILINj2W-m2RuTt-Zxj1GnURoPGMn969gkq-2k/s1600/IMG_7536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO5kAtVCbs93npDpsmbVLmozKYxz4IezVxpTRq2HoQbE9S3YAMTNzOdkBkfWQDq04fYiqtWJukh6YJ5B-cXAxbhNjUuw1bAZbnhkd_dILINj2W-m2RuTt-Zxj1GnURoPGMn969gkq-2k/s320/IMG_7536.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Priscilla
the Parrot Fish, while colorful and apparently a poster child in many of the
articles and media posts I have seen, was not my favorite piece in this
collection. The items are bit more random and did not have the same intensity
as images such as the Sea Star.</h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</h3>
<h3>
Sebastian
James the Puffin shares a sobering quality with its real-life counterpart, the
statue has a comical quality and an inquisitive expression. Puffins were the
creatures behind the creation of the 'porg' species in the most recent Star Wars
installation, and the quirky little birds are prone to exploring trash in
search of food scraps, and are particularly susceptible to ingesting plastic.
My favorite detail of this particular piece was the hook at the edge of the
beak. Despite it being much longer than on the actual birds, and more so like
that of a raptor’s beak, it still captures the animal’s nature and not just the
cuteness factor.<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrwoGDe373BJRqMOKbhbWrsuWluCp1rhxy1jfeVZ_HbwCLcVNCxogyZJ_s19_blufwUDCFCSfF2ybdQiGDXOrx-QdU2oHkgbV1GY66NPHhQwV6OyyIeS42IHs6hvsz4zoOz9PxlEDdF4/s1600/IMG_7523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrwoGDe373BJRqMOKbhbWrsuWluCp1rhxy1jfeVZ_HbwCLcVNCxogyZJ_s19_blufwUDCFCSfF2ybdQiGDXOrx-QdU2oHkgbV1GY66NPHhQwV6OyyIeS42IHs6hvsz4zoOz9PxlEDdF4/s320/IMG_7523.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21Xnyg2UkE_sEw3C9X3AJHRZWBgkHETCSZUzFk7FmjCKp52t-j5WLxsEJG9TBOygUhnbncpZbolljUyN6OjhCpJ6uTAWHN-yd9QmEu07DGhpdCl9uj5FPN23P4_U3Y_tcf5XP_tTETpA/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a></div>
<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21Xnyg2UkE_sEw3C9X3AJHRZWBgkHETCSZUzFk7FmjCKp52t-j5WLxsEJG9TBOygUhnbncpZbolljUyN6OjhCpJ6uTAWHN-yd9QmEu07DGhpdCl9uj5FPN23P4_U3Y_tcf5XP_tTETpA/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21Xnyg2UkE_sEw3C9X3AJHRZWBgkHETCSZUzFk7FmjCKp52t-j5WLxsEJG9TBOygUhnbncpZbolljUyN6OjhCpJ6uTAWHN-yd9QmEu07DGhpdCl9uj5FPN23P4_U3Y_tcf5XP_tTETpA/s320/IMG_7525.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-tBDm6ER3aXaEt_GcurM8C9dBaZ2JBh-km1alBc2PgWfhWCEvA1mJbD4sc5pxEf7rWhGdRj2UTK2U58cu7J3NC-3gvYJotAb6imZSqSr_c6gBs24FcP6RC_Ualy8QCmcz8g02xnPv4/s1600/IMG_7502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21Xnyg2UkE_sEw3C9X3AJHRZWBgkHETCSZUzFk7FmjCKp52t-j5WLxsEJG9TBOygUhnbncpZbolljUyN6OjhCpJ6uTAWHN-yd9QmEu07DGhpdCl9uj5FPN23P4_U3Y_tcf5XP_tTETpA/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><h3>
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</a></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Grace the
Humpback Whale Tail / Hugo the Humpback Whale Tail</h3>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-tBDm6ER3aXaEt_GcurM8C9dBaZ2JBh-km1alBc2PgWfhWCEvA1mJbD4sc5pxEf7rWhGdRj2UTK2U58cu7J3NC-3gvYJotAb6imZSqSr_c6gBs24FcP6RC_Ualy8QCmcz8g02xnPv4/s1600/IMG_7502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-tBDm6ER3aXaEt_GcurM8C9dBaZ2JBh-km1alBc2PgWfhWCEvA1mJbD4sc5pxEf7rWhGdRj2UTK2U58cu7J3NC-3gvYJotAb6imZSqSr_c6gBs24FcP6RC_Ualy8QCmcz8g02xnPv4/s1600/IMG_7502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-tBDm6ER3aXaEt_GcurM8C9dBaZ2JBh-km1alBc2PgWfhWCEvA1mJbD4sc5pxEf7rWhGdRj2UTK2U58cu7J3NC-3gvYJotAb6imZSqSr_c6gBs24FcP6RC_Ualy8QCmcz8g02xnPv4/s400/IMG_7502.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsOUfHtTbY31_JP0enqCQi6axpGOO-CRGPE4xWlL1iuDXSzHc1PDQXTJ29tdPCqwgmUfUtLaY9ogqBvp-TrUeUEX0N5swj3OPtUFzd2AIuqJ7An5yfSmlTwLh9NB2d7rARrxOt_WO2LU/s1600/IMG_7507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsOUfHtTbY31_JP0enqCQi6axpGOO-CRGPE4xWlL1iuDXSzHc1PDQXTJ29tdPCqwgmUfUtLaY9ogqBvp-TrUeUEX0N5swj3OPtUFzd2AIuqJ7An5yfSmlTwLh9NB2d7rARrxOt_WO2LU/s320/IMG_7507.JPG" width="320" /></a>This pair
of sculptures showcases the research done by the artist, making a point of
differentiating the Pacific humpback from the Atlantic whales. In reality this
species has benefitted greatly from conservation efforts over the years, but
personally I cannot help but attribute some of the interest and support in
humpbacks back to Star Trek IV and
the plight of “Gracie” and “George” – mostly because that movie inspired me, an
8-yr old land-locked kid living in the Midwest – to learn and appreciate marine
life for the first time.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpwwDW78S7ecIC2xP_ajWQN8s0UL2CRI21sZ3Cgz8QzjQQa1eJ3CZdHAR7oXzAyKd7L6e8oVjMWn7MGYgPDp2GAJCtviGCvHKK8DPz4T_9spD9CHCBVLwXHlN7RUkzgok_ufodJazFhY/s1600/IMG_7498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpwwDW78S7ecIC2xP_ajWQN8s0UL2CRI21sZ3Cgz8QzjQQa1eJ3CZdHAR7oXzAyKd7L6e8oVjMWn7MGYgPDp2GAJCtviGCvHKK8DPz4T_9spD9CHCBVLwXHlN7RUkzgok_ufodJazFhY/s320/IMG_7498.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpwwDW78S7ecIC2xP_ajWQN8s0UL2CRI21sZ3Cgz8QzjQQa1eJ3CZdHAR7oXzAyKd7L6e8oVjMWn7MGYgPDp2GAJCtviGCvHKK8DPz4T_9spD9CHCBVLwXHlN7RUkzgok_ufodJazFhY/s1600/IMG_7498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>Musical
Seaweed is meant to be an interactive exhibit, but during my time instead the
sky was filled with the roar of planes landing at the airport nearby. It was
the first time I truly noticed the noise, but am reminded how creating
beautiful spaces in areas that many people would not wish to live is
exceptional strategic planning. The areas in and around airports are great for
natural areas and in this case, an amazing garden.</h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OOivUK6IQlxSBif184XhKfxDXGdirhAXYVij9zqLrMoYJ2fpLlyud_oleau_dRZdsdRwmSu06OAPZ4jZRVlZucTflAsmgnA_TV-WnIwUnrVBVTPywTyisweAfWAbLKzFZrGiMBtde88/s1600/IMG_7478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OOivUK6IQlxSBif184XhKfxDXGdirhAXYVij9zqLrMoYJ2fpLlyud_oleau_dRZdsdRwmSu06OAPZ4jZRVlZucTflAsmgnA_TV-WnIwUnrVBVTPywTyisweAfWAbLKzFZrGiMBtde88/s320/IMG_7478.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></span></h3>
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Water
Bottle Jelly</h3>
<h3>
I fell in
love with the statue from a distance and was not disappointed up close. It was
placed off the paved pathway, up on a little knoll. There was no resisting the
opportunity to lie down in the grass and look up to the sky through the waving
tentacles of plastic. This massive reminder speaks of the plastic bags
resembling jellies in the ocean – confusing the living dinosaurs (in this case
sea turtles) of what is food and what is dangerous.</h3>
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<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Flash the
Marlin</h3>
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This cool
fish is constructed from reflective materials such as sunglasses and beer cans.
Check out those choppers! Some people are able to stare at a piece of art and 'see' things within the picture such as sadness, faces, or ghost-like apparitions buried within the image. What I love about this exhibit is how it doesn't matter if you are a big fan of the arts, or even over the age of five, you can still find so many things within each of these pieces. You can observe tactile metaphors and see the reincarnated spirits of old shoes repurposed as the original builders never imagined.</h3>
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Lidia the
Seal has a significant portion of the structure being provided by various lids
of items, hence the name Lid-ia. I am
always a fan of a good pun, but found this sculpture personally more disturbing
that many of the others. The irony behind the ‘smile’ will haunt my dreams for some time.</h3>
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While
this special exhibition drew me in, I was still compelled to explore the entirety
of the grounds and gift shop. Some of the flora enjoyed throughout the gardens
were familiar let lacked nomenclature, and I was glad to have adequate signage
without it distracting from taking photos. There were plenty of guests in the
area, but it was not difficult to find solitude amongst the leaves. The layout
of the gardens lends itself to reflection, and the volunteers/staff were not
invasive. One can be engrossed in the vegetation, or simply a temporary
observer.</h3>
<h3>
For those who love plants, this is a must visit.
For those who want to feel peaceful, Mounts Botanical is a great option. For
others who wish to learn more about the greener side of life, MBG offers a
variety of classes and workshops. Visit them directly for more information at: <a href="https://www.mounts.org/" target="_blank">Mounts Botanical Garden</a>.</h3>
<h3>
Let’s take the time to give attention to the project that created these
inspiring pieces that travel the world, spreading the message of Art to Save
the Sea. Be sure to check out <a href="https://washedashore.org/" target="_blank">Washed Ashore</a> for
details and the locations of other exhibits currently traveling around the
country.</h3>
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Whatever
it takes to hook you into trying something new, keep an exploring eye out as
there could be great new experiences waiting to inspire!</h3>
<h3>
-Callie</h3>
Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com2Mounts Botanical Garden, 531 N Military Trl, West Palm Beach, FL 33415, USA26.685474 -80.113111.1634394999999991 -121.421704 52.2075085 -38.804516000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-44082202382832589982018-03-02T10:47:00.000-05:002018-03-02T10:47:22.076-05:00Local Review: Sandoway Discovery Center<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The Sandoway Discovery Center, also known locally as
Sandoway House, is a historical building tucked away in Delray Beach. Built in
1936, the facility has transformed from a sleepy depression era home meant for
retirement, to an amazing nature center that provides a variety of programs
ranging from tales of history to addressing modern environmental issues. The
facility has been open to the public for 20 years, and yet remains like so many
other places in South Florida, practically undiscovered.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DAjamF4WGwuIxtgnOHqVKRi4JN7pgG8GL9MLoyuhiUQYOZGKp6-6jzZx14OZSosNy4DHf72O1oLvNI7NxyjQUvx3PZ2PoZvjSrIqpX2Pc5futILcHDOga1d_KdHblmz_asoaSn17xBA/s1600/20171007_101304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DAjamF4WGwuIxtgnOHqVKRi4JN7pgG8GL9MLoyuhiUQYOZGKp6-6jzZx14OZSosNy4DHf72O1oLvNI7NxyjQUvx3PZ2PoZvjSrIqpX2Pc5futILcHDOga1d_KdHblmz_asoaSn17xBA/s320/20171007_101304.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Whether looking for a low-cost way to spend time with small
children, or interested in delving into the history of the area, Sandoway
Discovery Center is a fantastic place to visit each year. The exhibits and
programs are always rotating, meaning that while history may not change, the
things to do on site most certainly evolve. This was the location of my son’s
first beach cleanup, and taking him to the facility afterwards was a reward for
both of us.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ih9zCBJM9tr9dSbOGaZdelUy_Ug8UqdT0s0Pasd7eNA84PdnNnLgAvanVT1R4mAL1zfKcHVBLQ1Tfi6rWf3qPaHcFQJfPqeX1yg51dZeg3NK8znD-pxD_GG_YFPK032u9Tl6H2v_THc/s1600/20171007_101411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ih9zCBJM9tr9dSbOGaZdelUy_Ug8UqdT0s0Pasd7eNA84PdnNnLgAvanVT1R4mAL1zfKcHVBLQ1Tfi6rWf3qPaHcFQJfPqeX1yg51dZeg3NK8znD-pxD_GG_YFPK032u9Tl6H2v_THc/s320/20171007_101411.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I have watched Sandoway grow and face challenges ranging
from someone literally driving a vehicle through the wall and into the historic
structure, to severe power outages during and after Hurricane Irma. The staff
is dedicated to what they do and above all else – the volunteers and staff
there seem genuinely <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">happy</i>; this is a
key component to the long-term success for a small non-profit. For anyone who
likes to visit smaller facilities that ‘the locals know’ and support grass
roots organizations with boots on the ground, then this is a great place.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIZny9ig868k-l_WUKOz_4VGmM5zdmTsLUC7hORNCoigph9c7HdEnwc33BSh8bbjidC8zg88m5E-V-orXTEY3oD-foGAzSXCGbt59P9mS_GFU80m52HtZ9_XACJ6z_onpiz2KO0qp790/s1600/20171007_101142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIZny9ig868k-l_WUKOz_4VGmM5zdmTsLUC7hORNCoigph9c7HdEnwc33BSh8bbjidC8zg88m5E-V-orXTEY3oD-foGAzSXCGbt59P9mS_GFU80m52HtZ9_XACJ6z_onpiz2KO0qp790/s400/20171007_101142.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3Nobn89Q11rwlKMqbOZzxJZWMmSpcFtsDvAlFemjLePpKuWQtg5WnJxZ-Z7rE5dQMwKcfoEd_Oohyphenhyphen6ODHTW4XphKAQr_8JtLkdJIVO5QP1Gfc1jrG9YZG8InHUAbLi_0_kvePkpjSLU/s1600/20171007_101136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3Nobn89Q11rwlKMqbOZzxJZWMmSpcFtsDvAlFemjLePpKuWQtg5WnJxZ-Z7rE5dQMwKcfoEd_Oohyphenhyphen6ODHTW4XphKAQr_8JtLkdJIVO5QP1Gfc1jrG9YZG8InHUAbLi_0_kvePkpjSLU/s400/20171007_101136.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ih9zCBJM9tr9dSbOGaZdelUy_Ug8UqdT0s0Pasd7eNA84PdnNnLgAvanVT1R4mAL1zfKcHVBLQ1Tfi6rWf3qPaHcFQJfPqeX1yg51dZeg3NK8znD-pxD_GG_YFPK032u9Tl6H2v_THc/s1600/20171007_101411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIZny9ig868k-l_WUKOz_4VGmM5zdmTsLUC7hORNCoigph9c7HdEnwc33BSh8bbjidC8zg88m5E-V-orXTEY3oD-foGAzSXCGbt59P9mS_GFU80m52HtZ9_XACJ6z_onpiz2KO0qp790/s1600/20171007_101142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3Nobn89Q11rwlKMqbOZzxJZWMmSpcFtsDvAlFemjLePpKuWQtg5WnJxZ-Z7rE5dQMwKcfoEd_Oohyphenhyphen6ODHTW4XphKAQr_8JtLkdJIVO5QP1Gfc1jrG9YZG8InHUAbLi_0_kvePkpjSLU/s1600/20171007_101136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Visiting a facility that expands and grows is great, and
watching your local nature center sprout new wings to accommodate programs is
no small feat. However, Sandoway has a unique situation – being a historical
building found officially on the lists for Delray, the state of Florida, and
the National Historical Registries, they are incapable of physically altering
the building for expansion and must work within the given walls. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This challenge means the staff and facility
are particularly creative with the exhibits and programming.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So, let’s chat about those awesome exhibits. The unassuming
entrance to the home is a screened in deck called the Discovery Porch where
they house some cool locals and my personal favorites – the turtles. A box
turtle, gopher tortoise and freshwater turtles are flanked by Mr. Crystal, the
blue and gold macaw. Parrots, and macaws in particular, remain my personal
adversaries dating back to my days as a zookeeper and this bird is no different.
Do me a favor and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> reach over
and try to pet an animal on display anywhere you go, ok? Consider that my
public service announcement for the day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbDbdub0n5FNrvTmF_JV5fQR6jXktfGJa8_Td1Y4ByTfu04DLj6wFofMdp-5YvvJX2VlQ0h7NtCCuEAmDEjaDbGm9F07r4qdJXaRoeOlQgXhBI78kCkmjQfC8Tnfb54eD5gxFQL6BZUI/s1600/20171007_100527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbDbdub0n5FNrvTmF_JV5fQR6jXktfGJa8_Td1Y4ByTfu04DLj6wFofMdp-5YvvJX2VlQ0h7NtCCuEAmDEjaDbGm9F07r4qdJXaRoeOlQgXhBI78kCkmjQfC8Tnfb54eD5gxFQL6BZUI/s400/20171007_100527.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ccUBwJVCx6N8fUGulpxJP9cX7S0g4iBWY5_IrNWg3gsKCI5j_V-HVRMGpSTXnA9nrm8Ieo5jYkufrJ7LDj49nK1auR_CSk6xAZPuL-HDTCQ-9LsHMPR4q4WvMcgDEi9NB1krBrhmCXs/s1600/20171007_100803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ccUBwJVCx6N8fUGulpxJP9cX7S0g4iBWY5_IrNWg3gsKCI5j_V-HVRMGpSTXnA9nrm8Ieo5jYkufrJ7LDj49nK1auR_CSk6xAZPuL-HDTCQ-9LsHMPR4q4WvMcgDEi9NB1krBrhmCXs/s1600/20171007_100803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ccUBwJVCx6N8fUGulpxJP9cX7S0g4iBWY5_IrNWg3gsKCI5j_V-HVRMGpSTXnA9nrm8Ieo5jYkufrJ7LDj49nK1auR_CSk6xAZPuL-HDTCQ-9LsHMPR4q4WvMcgDEi9NB1krBrhmCXs/s400/20171007_100803.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1odWI_fzKy2Bn6iOP2GJDm1sv4VYCE-lgNiAYgcycHC8CqNJgqXnxdQ-qk63hi5QDbx5ofbYodb4swleTD-yzDO6x0D3mo4Ycu617eCDZ0gHLBolWDTiQrofdJ6gTKnRQXn4VLfcy94/s1600/20171007_102019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1odWI_fzKy2Bn6iOP2GJDm1sv4VYCE-lgNiAYgcycHC8CqNJgqXnxdQ-qk63hi5QDbx5ofbYodb4swleTD-yzDO6x0D3mo4Ycu617eCDZ0gHLBolWDTiQrofdJ6gTKnRQXn4VLfcy94/s1600/20171007_102019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tBNzZMqE2_-3v_S_Z5U0fAOBrmhyphenhyphentisgSkfzlMJRGkcTV0P1NCqYTiN58_V2znWUfBfA51P2MMxrX3ejj5TZtB2SG4b7XNNtFIBFVDe1tb3zTpVfqhDRGl5HPFBLwKki5MRBTbvjqSs/s1600/20171007_102153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1odWI_fzKy2Bn6iOP2GJDm1sv4VYCE-lgNiAYgcycHC8CqNJgqXnxdQ-qk63hi5QDbx5ofbYodb4swleTD-yzDO6x0D3mo4Ycu617eCDZ0gHLBolWDTiQrofdJ6gTKnRQXn4VLfcy94/s1600/20171007_102019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1odWI_fzKy2Bn6iOP2GJDm1sv4VYCE-lgNiAYgcycHC8CqNJgqXnxdQ-qk63hi5QDbx5ofbYodb4swleTD-yzDO6x0D3mo4Ycu617eCDZ0gHLBolWDTiQrofdJ6gTKnRQXn4VLfcy94/s1600/20171007_102019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Once inside, for a paltry fee, kids and adults alike can
enjoy a variety of live animal and interactive exhibits. After giving Mr.
Crystal his respectful space, guests are rewarded with opportunities to touch a
variety of invertebrates with the guidance of staff or volunteers. Saltwater
fish tanks and reptilian displays abound before venturing toward the back of
the facility. The Microscope Room is a great space for those kids who get bored
with coloring but aren’t big enough to fully appreciate the historical
exhibits. My 8-yr old found this a space of great discovery while looking at –
SAND. Yes, this place got my Minecraft-loving, Lego building, taekwondo kicking
kid intrigued with sand.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1odWI_fzKy2Bn6iOP2GJDm1sv4VYCE-lgNiAYgcycHC8CqNJgqXnxdQ-qk63hi5QDbx5ofbYodb4swleTD-yzDO6x0D3mo4Ycu617eCDZ0gHLBolWDTiQrofdJ6gTKnRQXn4VLfcy94/s1600/20171007_102019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1odWI_fzKy2Bn6iOP2GJDm1sv4VYCE-lgNiAYgcycHC8CqNJgqXnxdQ-qk63hi5QDbx5ofbYodb4swleTD-yzDO6x0D3mo4Ycu617eCDZ0gHLBolWDTiQrofdJ6gTKnRQXn4VLfcy94/s400/20171007_102019.jpg" width="300" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tBNzZMqE2_-3v_S_Z5U0fAOBrmhyphenhyphentisgSkfzlMJRGkcTV0P1NCqYTiN58_V2znWUfBfA51P2MMxrX3ejj5TZtB2SG4b7XNNtFIBFVDe1tb3zTpVfqhDRGl5HPFBLwKki5MRBTbvjqSs/s1600/20171007_102153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tBNzZMqE2_-3v_S_Z5U0fAOBrmhyphenhyphentisgSkfzlMJRGkcTV0P1NCqYTiN58_V2znWUfBfA51P2MMxrX3ejj5TZtB2SG4b7XNNtFIBFVDe1tb3zTpVfqhDRGl5HPFBLwKki5MRBTbvjqSs/s400/20171007_102153.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tBNzZMqE2_-3v_S_Z5U0fAOBrmhyphenhyphentisgSkfzlMJRGkcTV0P1NCqYTiN58_V2znWUfBfA51P2MMxrX3ejj5TZtB2SG4b7XNNtFIBFVDe1tb3zTpVfqhDRGl5HPFBLwKki5MRBTbvjqSs/s1600/20171007_102153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Currently, the rotating display area is showing off some unique
images and items from the Florida Surfing Museum’s collection. In the past I
have seen this space used for showing off one of the largest shark jaw exhibits
and other traveling displays as well, making return visits particularly rewarding
because you can actually see something new and different every time. Coming up this summer, from June - August, the main exhibit room will be transformed by an array of spectacular shark jaws on display.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVreqQHST3a5KfuEsEn71uPSqi841Kl3SPbl2yzHJ16Dkpeom5-vJ_EdzYK4ieTF02EQIMxvn2k8Qn_mNrmkQfHWkh7ZIWUppL-3WL1e0ySP08F-8aPXw8-jULBTDQiqJk2oZjEpl1NNk/s1600/20171007_102307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVreqQHST3a5KfuEsEn71uPSqi841Kl3SPbl2yzHJ16Dkpeom5-vJ_EdzYK4ieTF02EQIMxvn2k8Qn_mNrmkQfHWkh7ZIWUppL-3WL1e0ySP08F-8aPXw8-jULBTDQiqJk2oZjEpl1NNk/s640/20171007_102307.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inspired by the photos!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvO2apM8s3UyVB2vLDj8NLgSjmhr_pTwu_UfzL1mP-x1oGI-RPKuWb12p426qhWKn4MksWa5K31EK9QrJEWl-6AyduNqO8rOAjKZ3J9ox7-58lBzzI3-7P7WphuRL-BcS9QS79BwHhIU/s1600/20171007_101422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvO2apM8s3UyVB2vLDj8NLgSjmhr_pTwu_UfzL1mP-x1oGI-RPKuWb12p426qhWKn4MksWa5K31EK9QrJEWl-6AyduNqO8rOAjKZ3J9ox7-58lBzzI3-7P7WphuRL-BcS9QS79BwHhIU/s320/20171007_101422.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Before heading outside to catch the live stingray touch tank,
be sure to run upstairs (or ask for assistance using the antique elevator) and
check out the Templeton Shell Gallery. A staple of the facility for many years,
this is a great way to satisfy the inner shell nerd that always wondered which
strange seashells are buried in the shoebox collection back home. Also,
upstairs is a great area for smaller kids to enjoy fun books, coloring and
activity station. While on the second level be sure to venture outside, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yes OUTSIDE</i>, onto the observation deck.
Binoculars are provided, but feel free to enjoy the salty breeze and a
spectacular view of the ocean from across Ocean Blvd. I cannot skip the
Nocturnal Room either, but it is easy to pass by as the animals in this room
are, well, nocturnal. The screech owl might be camouflaged or the opossum
taking a nap, but it is still a great use of space and see some cool native
animals. I still do not know how staff keeps the small room from smelling a bit
‘off’ considering the inhabitants, but kudos to them!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlicPS3HCI7EbXlMH1WrfL8GaZ5k9wwnHlhj-dvNwQnMlsYbcKLsQ3TK73anCCZSBscmwaIkKx8scwgOIMQx2EIif8Zqaot87TLYJgV-aB95f18KgBiJK7c6YNKlGNwzGepAl1SOcI6Ro/s1600/20171007_101911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlicPS3HCI7EbXlMH1WrfL8GaZ5k9wwnHlhj-dvNwQnMlsYbcKLsQ3TK73anCCZSBscmwaIkKx8scwgOIMQx2EIif8Zqaot87TLYJgV-aB95f18KgBiJK7c6YNKlGNwzGepAl1SOcI6Ro/s400/20171007_101911.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There is no way one can visit Sandoway, though, and not see
the sharks. Everyday, staff hosts an informative yet informally comfortable
talk about sharks and stingrays, and conducts a public feeding demonstration
with each. The large saltwater swimming pool is one of my favorite features
that embodies both the history and the future of the Discovery Center. Back
when the house was first built, getting enough freshwater at once to fill a
swimming pool was impractical and many historic places upgraded their pools to
freshwater systems later but this one remained – which is why you see steps at
one end of the pool. No, this is not an invitation to go in, and the public do
not feed the large nurse sharks living alongside a variety of other fish in the
retrofitted tank. Be sure to ask which one is “Mr. Bubbles” before you leave!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKe87QTAHmIECjVtWBEvoTZuCRmw0S9gtycWAEvM6V669S1AInwn8pGxpTX321TxIfTqxvPwGTsAf2NDl3quQGGwiYL44FQKmbbuXkSE0CUmJ3cexK8I6sJXWEeknALvIZJW4VDzbAyU/s1600/20171007_102529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKe87QTAHmIECjVtWBEvoTZuCRmw0S9gtycWAEvM6V669S1AInwn8pGxpTX321TxIfTqxvPwGTsAf2NDl3quQGGwiYL44FQKmbbuXkSE0CUmJ3cexK8I6sJXWEeknALvIZJW4VDzbAyU/s400/20171007_102529.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p8bpX6G6aNY8Tj1H99SdJjqdR9lr47FA6QZvRQEo6tESk74RwmYEhPH1P5vS8rxY9JaSjN3XDMd-w543w1bql8BmdFTGA9f1Bw4QKLcMEAwpAZB7popL5fpU1GMwXJs_lgPLrOWnEU0/s1600/20171007_102604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p8bpX6G6aNY8Tj1H99SdJjqdR9lr47FA6QZvRQEo6tESk74RwmYEhPH1P5vS8rxY9JaSjN3XDMd-w543w1bql8BmdFTGA9f1Bw4QKLcMEAwpAZB7popL5fpU1GMwXJs_lgPLrOWnEU0/s320/20171007_102604.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1kH-eoMXTvkxd8kwTiliYiVRYPKCYLBzHjXw-pWLq-zxGeIOCCFxObXk1rU_XP2lkMNsQ1bgaSLfeIz5YyefFHFlqFuo4GzsyLEkF0GNXDXHn6TdeA0iI8PLsyrgr9io-mU1O3M49MA/s1600/20171007_103210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1kH-eoMXTvkxd8kwTiliYiVRYPKCYLBzHjXw-pWLq-zxGeIOCCFxObXk1rU_XP2lkMNsQ1bgaSLfeIz5YyefFHFlqFuo4GzsyLEkF0GNXDXHn6TdeA0iI8PLsyrgr9io-mU1O3M49MA/s1600/20171007_103210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1kH-eoMXTvkxd8kwTiliYiVRYPKCYLBzHjXw-pWLq-zxGeIOCCFxObXk1rU_XP2lkMNsQ1bgaSLfeIz5YyefFHFlqFuo4GzsyLEkF0GNXDXHn6TdeA0iI8PLsyrgr9io-mU1O3M49MA/s320/20171007_103210.jpg" width="240" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Living in south Florida leaves one quite spoiled on outdoor
activities year-round, but I have found this lovely little place to always be
welcoming regardless of the beach conditions. Whether at the fossil dig,
touching stingrays, or simply enjoying the sea stars stuck to the tank walls,
Sandoway Discovery Center is truly a local treasure for all ages. Be sure to
add it to your “Fun Things to Do” list!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">and, remember to just keep swimming-</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Callie</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For more information on visiting Sandoway Discovery Center,
check out their website: <a href="https://sandoway.org/" target="_blank">https://sandoway.org/</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And to learn more about the Florida Surfing Museum, visit: <a href="http://www.surfhistoryproject.org/" target="_blank">www.surfhistoryproject.org/</a></span></div>
Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-38787179531351960002018-01-27T11:16:00.001-05:002018-01-27T11:16:58.298-05:00Protecting History: The Rough Road and Resolve of the Palm Beach Maritime Museum<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa1gl11wYoI-PInLyUSSdxFZjrDpYSSj6StlSP6uuMiXf6RXvv-X4bJ3sHWtKgrBx0iAS8Mev9iye3pgmBt6eLtMhEgbDZ_8z78fDCYyKUNMI07D5PbsCHDiFs_ZncvY76E8BQPLF8VQ/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa1gl11wYoI-PInLyUSSdxFZjrDpYSSj6StlSP6uuMiXf6RXvv-X4bJ3sHWtKgrBx0iAS8Mev9iye3pgmBt6eLtMhEgbDZ_8z78fDCYyKUNMI07D5PbsCHDiFs_ZncvY76E8BQPLF8VQ/s640/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%25284%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Since 1996, the Palm Beach Maritime Museum has provided ambassadors
to our nation’s past with truly one of a kind exhibits and content. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The PBMM is – well, was – located on Peanut
Island in Palm Beach County. This location proves to be both urban and remote simultaneously
as thousands cruise by on ships, small boats, kayaks, bridges and roadways. The
Island is not accessible by land; one must take a personal vessel or one of the
local ferries on a 15-20-minute ride across the waterway. This seemingly
trivial matter was perhaps one of the greatest obstacles for the Museum to deal
with on a regular basis – it is most certainly something that kept me off the
Island for over 15 years.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The Palm Beach Maritime Museum consisted of three different buildings:
the Museum proper (gift shop, lobby, and beginning of the tour), a retired
United States Coast Guard Station, and a fallout shelter created specifically for
President John F. Kennedy in 1961. To join a tour, all one had to do was walk
up during operating hours and pay a modest fee to the non-profit. </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmCbTkCWtD7XuMTsCoDg8EEMYB-64iTJ3x_6YhVWzQGKsJlAwzbMha9nCKQ3FiDF3zD93bxliQ9LsEHp4-GcAu9OhbvRWYOJk-1mW4IqVNOOlAuOWpJOcnztzEJc4-KdyHdOesrHel1s/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252857%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmCbTkCWtD7XuMTsCoDg8EEMYB-64iTJ3x_6YhVWzQGKsJlAwzbMha9nCKQ3FiDF3zD93bxliQ9LsEHp4-GcAu9OhbvRWYOJk-1mW4IqVNOOlAuOWpJOcnztzEJc4-KdyHdOesrHel1s/s640/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252857%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Coast Guard Station, active from 1936-1996</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So, what prompted me after so long to take my 8-yr old son
and also invite my history loving in-laws to join us? Closure. The chance at
catching a glimpse of something truly special before it changed forever. I learned
through my network of friends and colleagues that the PBMM was going to shut its
doors, potentially forever. The partnership with the local county government had
dissolved and the Museum would have to move. The buildings would remain, but
be closed up for an unknown length of time and all of the artifacts would be gone
regardless. I am embarrassed to say it was the inevitable closing that truly
lit the fire under my backside to finally get over to the Island on one of the
weekends before it closed on October 22, 2017. I hate visiting busy places on
the weekends, and worked during the week, but I was not disciplined enough to
make the time before – now I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i> to
do it. My in-laws had lived in South Florida for over 30 years and had never
been. They were surprised to hear of the Museum’s existence (<i>WHAT??!</i>) and
wanted to join me one Sunday morning before the facility shut down. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Then, nature kicked in and I realized I may not get the chance
after all. Hurricane Irma visited our shores during the second week of
September with what could have been a much greater force than realized. Schools
were shut down for over a week. Streets were flooded. The docks in front of the
Museum were wrecked and boats strewn along Peanut Island’s shoreline. With the
contract ending, would the Museum even bother to open? What beautiful
opportunity had I squandered?!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">The staff at the Palm Beach Maritime Museum, passionate
about what they do, decided to stay open until the last possible moment. They
led tours on the weekends and during off hours packed up exhibits. They had no
dock, but chose to run the ferry despite the now lengthy walk each way that
visitors would need to take because they knew there must be procrastinating munches
like myself who would jump at the last chance to see history frozen in situ. Stalling
was no longer an option and we were going on a backyard trip through time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRxoG3pE54DYSRo-MWnvdwjSfWFDlKUqs5EpXlkIN1OeBN7ALSiw2sPOAb12s6O12n9hciSoUS53P2G4Wa93r_PoIK2ERQOLIwhRzKRbG_4zVHREvhvYEuOcDO3FjIspZKz_5O1Kzle4/s1600/20170922_130458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRxoG3pE54DYSRo-MWnvdwjSfWFDlKUqs5EpXlkIN1OeBN7ALSiw2sPOAb12s6O12n9hciSoUS53P2G4Wa93r_PoIK2ERQOLIwhRzKRbG_4zVHREvhvYEuOcDO3FjIspZKz_5O1Kzle4/s640/20170922_130458.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken docks that won't be repaired.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJba0_j4J_B-YZiRokn40V5LVGbtdRQXYBnB5dsCLg95o-5UVaVYl61iehD1td87oDKx2cjBE7klAPtLAsbSPtrrd2Ro_PdkfeQVX-6ZU65X2DO94jf35uNRoZIDQ5eOF0Qu_cVaC0Trk/s1600/20170922_130202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJba0_j4J_B-YZiRokn40V5LVGbtdRQXYBnB5dsCLg95o-5UVaVYl61iehD1td87oDKx2cjBE7klAPtLAsbSPtrrd2Ro_PdkfeQVX-6ZU65X2DO94jf35uNRoZIDQ5eOF0Qu_cVaC0Trk/s320/20170922_130202.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5ubMemxQMpgY2xuWvS48XwHfSslA3vMCNpP77ifhn5fruYH0Qkm1ginG70E_SmNPiUBbc2ENYRR5mLsh8AZ1wASZOKt3E4ExFNvvYsUKbNIAggl3d8_d971v8zQoU_ZmZT2OQp9GpWc/s1600/20170922_130137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5ubMemxQMpgY2xuWvS48XwHfSslA3vMCNpP77ifhn5fruYH0Qkm1ginG70E_SmNPiUBbc2ENYRR5mLsh8AZ1wASZOKt3E4ExFNvvYsUKbNIAggl3d8_d971v8zQoU_ZmZT2OQp9GpWc/s320/20170922_130137.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAcRNSL2vy8goGi4X-H3ssHz3APgmx59Hirw7GaXi17DniSCsB95knFJF3kigTUI3NRZmU0WaI2tQOwrtBClCKSMBu6Mt6WhU7nAlmmsPzkidRy2C1-Ho1rUXF29ghwPie5hTpaP3d-w/s1600/20170922_130405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAcRNSL2vy8goGi4X-H3ssHz3APgmx59Hirw7GaXi17DniSCsB95knFJF3kigTUI3NRZmU0WaI2tQOwrtBClCKSMBu6Mt6WhU7nAlmmsPzkidRy2C1-Ho1rUXF29ghwPie5hTpaP3d-w/s400/20170922_130405.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJba0_j4J_B-YZiRokn40V5LVGbtdRQXYBnB5dsCLg95o-5UVaVYl61iehD1td87oDKx2cjBE7klAPtLAsbSPtrrd2Ro_PdkfeQVX-6ZU65X2DO94jf35uNRoZIDQ5eOF0Qu_cVaC0Trk/s1600/20170922_130202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusCheQ1xQfDEB0e3cuHsJ2IZmnK687ym8tlsXiPyHh-fr35apeU0Gi_yqyas9C_lMVZOQ959KQlV9gzfIqr9TV7uHtRDRmwKi7Blp8C7h_Vt5VHXfNj3ridPFAbVyZny0Q4-AUZ2-ifk/s1600/20170922_135256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusCheQ1xQfDEB0e3cuHsJ2IZmnK687ym8tlsXiPyHh-fr35apeU0Gi_yqyas9C_lMVZOQ959KQlV9gzfIqr9TV7uHtRDRmwKi7Blp8C7h_Vt5VHXfNj3ridPFAbVyZny0Q4-AUZ2-ifk/s320/20170922_135256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4m5HHqYtmACYj4Unw2rpH5vPdtTLQ8-Uar4Fo863C2ar1zPSFJ8i0xx-cxhD3KZ7i_f2P1FsqMq8weLh12RztUO4hH6Lv0WnJU3C2n9xXvkYTBNkmLVj0HQdh7v-lsHbrOy1xiK2MJo/s1600/20170922_130500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4m5HHqYtmACYj4Unw2rpH5vPdtTLQ8-Uar4Fo863C2ar1zPSFJ8i0xx-cxhD3KZ7i_f2P1FsqMq8weLh12RztUO4hH6Lv0WnJU3C2n9xXvkYTBNkmLVj0HQdh7v-lsHbrOy1xiK2MJo/s320/20170922_130500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4m5HHqYtmACYj4Unw2rpH5vPdtTLQ8-Uar4Fo863C2ar1zPSFJ8i0xx-cxhD3KZ7i_f2P1FsqMq8weLh12RztUO4hH6Lv0WnJU3C2n9xXvkYTBNkmLVj0HQdh7v-lsHbrOy1xiK2MJo/s1600/20170922_130500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Upon arrival to Peanut Island on a typical hot Florida day
in October, we began our walk to the Museum. This was very hard on my mother-in-law,
who has difficulty walking for any length of time, and we were quite moved when
the staff immediately offered her a wheelchair for the walk to and through the
USCG Station and to the shelter. The fallout shelter itself is
not wheelchair accessible, but she was still able to walk inside and enjoy the
underground portal back in time.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Since those of you reading this will never have the same
experience we did, I chose to smatter you with photos in a pathetic effort to
show what we enjoyed that morning. The history of the Island came first, with a
special treat since the Curator, Ruth Pelletier was our guide on that busy day
(she told me later that the last two weekends of the Museum were perhaps the
busiest they had every witnessed with hundreds and hundreds of people coming
through; and if in fact, there had been that type of support from the public
beforehand, the Museum might have gone down a different path). The groups were
kept small to allow for everyone to see and hear without crowding in some of
the tighter areas of the tour. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX8Dwbu2FFrJl0hfsnYBDcmmOJ6ia5TYfEpRdTQf0WnH_SgNCBAkAgK-CLbzfiAnN5-aB1IZkA4kGnnBuhQEWcjn6pJ8VFo4kwjaok1rcOnrrOXEJPMii36i5b8AXhCVRL56ZmXZ1ZDw/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX8Dwbu2FFrJl0hfsnYBDcmmOJ6ia5TYfEpRdTQf0WnH_SgNCBAkAgK-CLbzfiAnN5-aB1IZkA4kGnnBuhQEWcjn6pJ8VFo4kwjaok1rcOnrrOXEJPMii36i5b8AXhCVRL56ZmXZ1ZDw/s400/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%25286%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20BPYvZopeSaOugzS3qR7pG7pgXBpVEpurJHhvbicRDazZORxV-x56dbgRBRpihxe861yq6aqBofvi9dvgOvncazbVqmnegGxacFcMXpOpUKSmQe7HOc2KLf-ig0XL4tlBo5OpAd04mw/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20BPYvZopeSaOugzS3qR7pG7pgXBpVEpurJHhvbicRDazZORxV-x56dbgRBRpihxe861yq6aqBofvi9dvgOvncazbVqmnegGxacFcMXpOpUKSmQe7HOc2KLf-ig0XL4tlBo5OpAd04mw/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20BPYvZopeSaOugzS3qR7pG7pgXBpVEpurJHhvbicRDazZORxV-x56dbgRBRpihxe861yq6aqBofvi9dvgOvncazbVqmnegGxacFcMXpOpUKSmQe7HOc2KLf-ig0XL4tlBo5OpAd04mw/s400/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%25288%2529.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">With about 20 people ranging in age from small children to
those who lived in Florida long before the Island was accessible to the public
at all, we set out on our adventure to the US Coast Guard Station. The station
was fully operational from 1936 to 1996 and was also the home to three very
cool cats – literally. “Jack”, “Jackie” and “Marilyn” lived on the island and
were quite friendly to visitors and staff alike. The old photographs, nautical
artifacts and depth of history living in the walls was fascinating. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRx8eFlF6QBWeWKwPzDoebCJ-6YB7S58aGj9w9ZPT9DPJ4PwoFOkVKc0X1MzTyc4h4SXiAZWcZkJTED6Dhvp_hKC_jQVFPHpsP0yXxJ7YhpNzfoSAK3R8Qk_LT8368QDtDi20OGliZJVw/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252825%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRx8eFlF6QBWeWKwPzDoebCJ-6YB7S58aGj9w9ZPT9DPJ4PwoFOkVKc0X1MzTyc4h4SXiAZWcZkJTED6Dhvp_hKC_jQVFPHpsP0yXxJ7YhpNzfoSAK3R8Qk_LT8368QDtDi20OGliZJVw/s320/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252825%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The wooden floors did not creak as expected, and the group
was respectfully quiet as our guide gave more information than I could ever keep
in short-term memory. I wish I had brought a notebook and not just a camera, but
with an 8-yr old that can be a little tricky to juggle without incident. The
smell of the Station was salty and old but comforting. The displays commanded
respect while remaining welcoming, and throughout the building were signs bearing
information that again, far surpassed my ability to process in only one short
visit. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZsQycSKhsH3NbBfjfK8DOSM5BFG5d4WNz2H8b-H5dQFlzhKSS2sTRTarfAu7trdCdFfGgBvZNus79wk-1a37vvNJVnhrxTZzhrORAEOKQsOuzCcnCb4LBmKJcXUiDx1VZOTRuHc7x68/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS1bBOdrvOP6c3ID32Az4igGRAuGk_4YdMP8G6eIpegOAfkYy9eHdJiDZiA4UMIev-nGz9lmiJuTSGSTFmPRWT-_379MimG-QSHAm_oFlx432pBW4q2IE46mgRjEkjBa-NMyMzqHEeEA/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR-Xs45zpYmrVpOzjCHYG-aaafNAHLVUOFhjT1c1Wox_t2VMNYqkhELimlD32iKefborvjB4iGiwlNm27qeq5vaW5Am_vOEN_CTMrPmc2YK0vrFREKZtj_aTycgFprAofVFIoTmm7Wsk/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR-Xs45zpYmrVpOzjCHYG-aaafNAHLVUOFhjT1c1Wox_t2VMNYqkhELimlD32iKefborvjB4iGiwlNm27qeq5vaW5Am_vOEN_CTMrPmc2YK0vrFREKZtj_aTycgFprAofVFIoTmm7Wsk/s320/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252812%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZsQycSKhsH3NbBfjfK8DOSM5BFG5d4WNz2H8b-H5dQFlzhKSS2sTRTarfAu7trdCdFfGgBvZNus79wk-1a37vvNJVnhrxTZzhrORAEOKQsOuzCcnCb4LBmKJcXUiDx1VZOTRuHc7x68/s400/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252811%2529.jpg" width="300" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHv-50846tpLcsJ7c8NETlBSzVUvxzvRq4yXfV1meowGMNIvozt9aGAr0Kec6m8q44UfP-kSxxqUNrEmMLewHOvVtdZMEly4zt_amuoYGn1djwxuj-ZsVGs10TCNeVckaLMcqnCYOSgM/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHv-50846tpLcsJ7c8NETlBSzVUvxzvRq4yXfV1meowGMNIvozt9aGAr0Kec6m8q44UfP-kSxxqUNrEmMLewHOvVtdZMEly4zt_amuoYGn1djwxuj-ZsVGs10TCNeVckaLMcqnCYOSgM/s320/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252815%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS1bBOdrvOP6c3ID32Az4igGRAuGk_4YdMP8G6eIpegOAfkYy9eHdJiDZiA4UMIev-nGz9lmiJuTSGSTFmPRWT-_379MimG-QSHAm_oFlx432pBW4q2IE46mgRjEkjBa-NMyMzqHEeEA/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS1bBOdrvOP6c3ID32Az4igGRAuGk_4YdMP8G6eIpegOAfkYy9eHdJiDZiA4UMIev-nGz9lmiJuTSGSTFmPRWT-_379MimG-QSHAm_oFlx432pBW4q2IE46mgRjEkjBa-NMyMzqHEeEA/s320/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252817%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR-Xs45zpYmrVpOzjCHYG-aaafNAHLVUOFhjT1c1Wox_t2VMNYqkhELimlD32iKefborvjB4iGiwlNm27qeq5vaW5Am_vOEN_CTMrPmc2YK0vrFREKZtj_aTycgFprAofVFIoTmm7Wsk/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR-Xs45zpYmrVpOzjCHYG-aaafNAHLVUOFhjT1c1Wox_t2VMNYqkhELimlD32iKefborvjB4iGiwlNm27qeq5vaW5Am_vOEN_CTMrPmc2YK0vrFREKZtj_aTycgFprAofVFIoTmm7Wsk/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPFx-VjDVpse1fnnu-9Jfg_GCEeIOj6l6FGnsGc7fVUcJD8jo_f8ZPt4_JuMv-dvr4YLVppC6fm42v7vG5q2F-YwJFnNj8EzecEZF897MzT8TE3zXLunD3fIk7bkyfx1XlDc3Ywcqs8M/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252818%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPFx-VjDVpse1fnnu-9Jfg_GCEeIOj6l6FGnsGc7fVUcJD8jo_f8ZPt4_JuMv-dvr4YLVppC6fm42v7vG5q2F-YwJFnNj8EzecEZF897MzT8TE3zXLunD3fIk7bkyfx1XlDc3Ywcqs8M/s320/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252818%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Jv-gD1XWnMuUiKbwItfbxhDhFZIK4JkTc9lH3w83DnC8yxyF7RJ4rW9NkrqNDKaDvI6isaVrN6icSEyZ2cBRUjA6U7xVyGIjiJIESR3-ZIlAk25X0iNv_jiZGLZ0iNnkU2JK_VFCAUY/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252828%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Jv-gD1XWnMuUiKbwItfbxhDhFZIK4JkTc9lH3w83DnC8yxyF7RJ4rW9NkrqNDKaDvI6isaVrN6icSEyZ2cBRUjA6U7xVyGIjiJIESR3-ZIlAk25X0iNv_jiZGLZ0iNnkU2JK_VFCAUY/s320/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252828%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is a real cannonball!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAu0JazOh3Invz9j7S-tW8NGb1eCZx7LXeJShK0Tj348tPfCBwSIDf3xcKOB62_1V4BkFLBEYliVtQKzP_FZeU-zX0CUiXjFGpQ1RSn0NKE6kLRdYrKbjbNrLPqH2ic9Vx1fDOg6eHMo/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252835%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After leaving the Station house, we took a lovely and rather
short walk to the Kennedy Bunker. This fallout shelter was nothing like I had
ever experienced, nor might ever again. Designed as a shelter post-bomb drop
for use by the President and staff whenever he was at his winter home, the
Bunker begins with a rather imposing door. Once opened, the group walked down a
dark declining ramp into the pit. The air was different – thicker and warm. I
had no idea that going back in time would be so foreboding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The shelter itself is precisely that – a sparsely furnished,
reinforced hole in the ground. Perhaps the most intense feature is the giant
presidential seal in the middle of the space. It is the only official Presidential
Seal in the State of Florida. The bunker was also kept true to its originality, save for
the emergency exit added into the main room – this is the only way the Museum
could gain authorization to have public tours (visible in the background).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHSzMZFYHFP3BpcwZYPKreKiygOt75qlimihDX9KWv2FZa4PuEMFWDY6PZHcJMHK_hsPSrs_vgv0MAs6Oln9m_txmiMe1cn8aCXtl9xBizUsypKEEk3C3eamiKRq6y5-8eD-S8NrxiBo/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252847%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHSzMZFYHFP3BpcwZYPKreKiygOt75qlimihDX9KWv2FZa4PuEMFWDY6PZHcJMHK_hsPSrs_vgv0MAs6Oln9m_txmiMe1cn8aCXtl9xBizUsypKEEk3C3eamiKRq6y5-8eD-S8NrxiBo/s320/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252847%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The original exit from the bunker was an old ladder going straight
up. The cubby leading to this exit was at least 15 degrees hotter than the rest
of the shelter, and looking up the shaft is daunting. The walls of the entire were
corrugated metal and gave a distinct military feel to a non-service civilian
like myself. Voices echoed in the chamber. Walking through a giant metal time
capsule, wondering if the world would look the same upon exiting, I could not
help but be consumed by self-reflection. One feels small in a place of such
astounding preparation. Knowing technology must have affected any modern-day
fallout shelters I can only speculate on what they may look like now.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vcaAHZg7rPFRKXHWPzxY-_imHi8k7nI8680jA2o99kp9z_MDenR08vMRBJxgf0BujhbOFX2RppZ9RnL8Ht1T_rveFNZbgMaiNnLMqLJXm3zHODxcclOKjguuSzYrSYYXPhVm-BFU7oc/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252849%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vcaAHZg7rPFRKXHWPzxY-_imHi8k7nI8680jA2o99kp9z_MDenR08vMRBJxgf0BujhbOFX2RppZ9RnL8Ht1T_rveFNZbgMaiNnLMqLJXm3zHODxcclOKjguuSzYrSYYXPhVm-BFU7oc/s400/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252849%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSPeNwgFmLp7JMlRkAKfEqYvi7yZC1v9OwPRxWF_Zykg5GP-95AMesWvPER7jJLA7mef6nwjccxjN7710PwbvEM9QPQvCm4rOy3mjQ57_38o8zDMmSGz2mxUcP89N6dP2zeRCafoRgt8/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSPeNwgFmLp7JMlRkAKfEqYvi7yZC1v9OwPRxWF_Zykg5GP-95AMesWvPER7jJLA7mef6nwjccxjN7710PwbvEM9QPQvCm4rOy3mjQ57_38o8zDMmSGz2mxUcP89N6dP2zeRCafoRgt8/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSPeNwgFmLp7JMlRkAKfEqYvi7yZC1v9OwPRxWF_Zykg5GP-95AMesWvPER7jJLA7mef6nwjccxjN7710PwbvEM9QPQvCm4rOy3mjQ57_38o8zDMmSGz2mxUcP89N6dP2zeRCafoRgt8/s400/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252853%2529.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBno4fyyaq7to7hDOuUa5RUZk29J5v6AwN9ESXeZgUuO-K2wmplLeaGkuB6qCvJ-qswEFQG18YoSjdcYPvzvO_s92UizZ8H3QRtllXTQatovQpiXUXm4h9RiC2dV4NFeieglz7ei0W_PA/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252854%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBno4fyyaq7to7hDOuUa5RUZk29J5v6AwN9ESXeZgUuO-K2wmplLeaGkuB6qCvJ-qswEFQG18YoSjdcYPvzvO_s92UizZ8H3QRtllXTQatovQpiXUXm4h9RiC2dV4NFeieglz7ei0W_PA/s400/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252854%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">But you may never know, never experience it for yourself. After
the fact, I began thinking about other iconic buildings and places and
activities available that may some day be lost. Will we always be able to walk
to the crown of the Statue of Liberty? Will the Mona Lisa always be on display
at the Louvre in Paris? How many animals will go extinct or ecosystems change
until they are unrecognizable? Will the rocky edges of the Grand Canyon someday
become unstable and the public no longer able to raft that section of the
Colorado River or stand on the edge and shout – waiting for an echo that will
not come? (Seriously, the Canyon is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">waaayyyy
</i>too vast to hear your echo, sorry for the spoiler. For what is it worth, I
still yelled while on the cliff’s edge anyway)</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Fortunately, those dedicated to the history protected by the
Palm Beach Maritime Museum found another way to share the stories. They found a
new partner in the City of West Palm Beach and are currently working on new
exhibits – a new museum essentially – located in Currie Park. The Museum may
not have the same structure, but the artifacts and passionate staff will be there
to guide visitors back in time. No longer locked by a barrier of saltwater, I
cannot wait to experience the new Maritime Museum when it opens – expectedly in
2018.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Here are some great places to learn a bit more and watch for
progress on the Palm Beach Maritime Museum:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Website: <a href="http://pbmm.info/about-us"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://pbmm.info/about-us</span></a>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PBMM.info/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/PBMM.info/</span></a>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I challenge everyone, myself included, to take the time and enjoy
the local treasures. Don’t wait for family or friends to visit from out of
town. Don’t assume these wonderful places will always be there, idly waiting
for you to drop by when convenient. Anything worth keeping requires education
and support. Whether it be protecting history or waterways, reefs or forests,
honey bees or family bonds – do not allow the self-disappointment found only by
a lack of participation.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34hDH8xTnlfw8gfJRiwJjOfzr6x9ZalYXftgSE0CWZm-XqIhEkalPP7iMMAI1WSSdUuW7eyS0cLpYYWdJa3qYuM2feswZDfsguR-O_fUMYChRNO_YfDlnusrgaLaCc0Z6g6NUZl9rrk/s1600/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252845%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34hDH8xTnlfw8gfJRiwJjOfzr6x9ZalYXftgSE0CWZm-XqIhEkalPP7iMMAI1WSSdUuW7eyS0cLpYYWdJa3qYuM2feswZDfsguR-O_fUMYChRNO_YfDlnusrgaLaCc0Z6g6NUZl9rrk/s320/PeanutIslandMaritimeMuseum+%252845%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knows when, if ever, the bunker will re-open to the public</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Swim often. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Laugh more.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Hug your family and fur-babies too.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">-Callie </span></div>
Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0Peanut Island, Florida, USA26.7732826 -80.04720529999997326.766194600000002 -80.057290299999977 26.7803706 -80.03712029999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-84744656533075282262017-12-16T13:56:00.000-05:002017-12-16T14:38:06.633-05:00App Review: Clean Swell<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Recently, my 8-yr old and I participated in the International Coastal Clean Up - an annual worldwide event hosted by the Ocean Conservancy. I have been on different sides of this event over the years: as a site coordinator, as the breakdown/clean up<i> after</i> the clean up crew, as a participant with friends and alone. But this was a new experience as I s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>hared it with my son and the Ocean Conservancy added a new tool too, the Clean Swell App. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every year, in addition to just picking up trash and debris, the Ocean Conservancy has quested participants to record their findings. This data is important when creating jaw dropping graphics like this one:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1258o8wCk776U2kEnmMl3o8eFVhYN-kun0xKWA7vvOF1vTQoVRtPqCgsOGYJpyosgTwjeDEYCsb8LfUTJjtJuRZ9ZolyNxPDXQyxqZGNxa24AFH-2YRH921dXaCmMH7_tJSEWN4Fy-M/s1600/Top10Trash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="896" height="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1258o8wCk776U2kEnmMl3o8eFVhYN-kun0xKWA7vvOF1vTQoVRtPqCgsOGYJpyosgTwjeDEYCsb8LfUTJjtJuRZ9ZolyNxPDXQyxqZGNxa24AFH-2YRH921dXaCmMH7_tJSEWN4Fy-M/s640/Top10Trash.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have unfathomable respect for organizations that include
data and research with their good deeds. We, as consumers, must wade through
countless fountains of strange and random facts only to wonder “where on earth
did they get <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> information?”. As a
scientist, I understand how any opportunity to incorporate citizens into the
gathering of data is priceless. Just like this App!</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Clean Swell is a free application for your phone, available
for your Apple people or Droiders. This is a great option for
those who have no desire to carry around the clipboard and pen to record their
collection data – however, this DOES require you to have your phone out and on
the beach during a cleanup which is maybe not the best option for chronic phone
destructors like myself.</span><b></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-KzCZbnrvxNHWSvkSuWLMAZCNoht-LvgrWpRW-qG-l628SkxiTTYpR42AoOihjTK8a-mMOcF0Ucywu23HTyY0ilDyVn3kb7tXilw2rrgWms6r8w10HQUPjUAfqkddHSs9-a1MRoliIo/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162449.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-KzCZbnrvxNHWSvkSuWLMAZCNoht-LvgrWpRW-qG-l628SkxiTTYpR42AoOihjTK8a-mMOcF0Ucywu23HTyY0ilDyVn3kb7tXilw2rrgWms6r8w10HQUPjUAfqkddHSs9-a1MRoliIo/s400/Screenshot_20171008-162449.png" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Signing
up is easy, only requiring very basic information such as your e-mail. Incidentally,
I abhor getting junk mail and I have found only summary e-mails from what I
have reported appear in my inbox. I can absolutely live with that. </span>The intro page for the app is self explanatory and user friendly. The purpose of installing this app is to motivate those participating i<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n</span> a structured clean up to consider doing more cleanups on their own and still report the data. This is an efficient and waste-free option and to be honest not particularly time consuming. I'm sure most people, like myself, keep their phone on them anyway so sending in the data was even less trouble than sending an e-mail. The "History" tab is a very cool function that provides the use an opportunity to track what they have done and where. The profile is <span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">simplified, with only your zip code and e-mail kept so you don’t have to
fret about too much personal information being on file.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY13D8c6vcZ9TyHfi3ZsVvdDNwt9czgOmou3A3SNwM-PzxM_I_l_RznEqQy2rI232rSl0bhIp7bF4JXg-DuIAz3g2bk8z-LH6AYP-B2ZY7hVLB1EGqW3RLlrrt47VbokPHBEpZCj4kC4/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162602.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY13D8c6vcZ9TyHfi3ZsVvdDNwt9czgOmou3A3SNwM-PzxM_I_l_RznEqQy2rI232rSl0bhIp7bF4JXg-DuIAz3g2bk8z-LH6AYP-B2ZY7hVLB1EGqW3RLlrrt47VbokPHBEpZCj4kC4/s400/Screenshot_20171008-162602.png" width="225" /></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have always found recording data
during a clean up to be bulky and sometimes difficult. Add in weather such as
wind or a light rain, and getting data down was a mess. I imagine trying to
sort through sandy, torn and wet pages was not particularly fun for those
charged with reporting the data either. Flipping through pages on a clipboard
while holding trash bags and picking up trash is impossible to do alone without
getting frustrated. My favorite part of the app is the data tracking grid. A
sample is pictured here, but there are so many options that you don’t have to
think about anything while collecting except to tap the items being picked up.
Every time you snag a plastic bag, or lid, or even just a fragment – they all
have their own separate icon that can simply be tapped. Having said that, deleting
an item accidently tapped is tricky and much easier to do on the back-end right
before you submit the final data. Stopping everything to tab backwards to delete
an extra balloon isn’t really worth the effort when you are out in the elements
or on a time crunch (or trying to chase down an 8-yr old with a pair of trash
pickers who is really excited and hauling down the beach at speeds I am not
capable of without copious amounts of coffee in advance).</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As a motivational perk, the app has 'badges' you can earn for participating. For
instance, completing our first clean up yielded the "Ahoy Matey" and apparently,
I am the queen of beverage related items such as bottle caps and straws with my
"Beverage Buster" badge earned in only 3 outings.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgDBDTQV4J72-OpEZrZpRiTXlxrtN7SLq1fXQ_tFoj6w7hUnpuZbymlkVVOGoYCXGAbUeBxiTDgQ8f6kVh4LAOaNyKGZGeJC-1cCSfBkOzDLfRNcnWWrGAci48OhTCYk7mtATJFbcmIU/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162500.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgDBDTQV4J72-OpEZrZpRiTXlxrtN7SLq1fXQ_tFoj6w7hUnpuZbymlkVVOGoYCXGAbUeBxiTDgQ8f6kVh4LAOaNyKGZGeJC-1cCSfBkOzDLfRNcnWWrGAci48OhTCYk7mtATJFbcmIU/s400/Screenshot_20171008-162500.png" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHq92TT15Gei1rshYJZTaM-AwNIehVAWFqPWW1w6iGKu4nkqu1HRgkmoz3f68UxJCaHIKT5JyQRjmByDq_stQahQGlQIf4HC2ogiQs_pmOFyVs5vADjyn-kbgfBr5sKdcX7-I3iU_OqI/s1600/Screenshot_20171015-141332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="883" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHq92TT15Gei1rshYJZTaM-AwNIehVAWFqPWW1w6iGKu4nkqu1HRgkmoz3f68UxJCaHIKT5JyQRjmByDq_stQahQGlQIf4HC2ogiQs_pmOFyVs5vADjyn-kbgfBr5sKdcX7-I3iU_OqI/s400/Screenshot_20171015-141332.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgDBDTQV4J72-OpEZrZpRiTXlxrtN7SLq1fXQ_tFoj6w7hUnpuZbymlkVVOGoYCXGAbUeBxiTDgQ8f6kVh4LAOaNyKGZGeJC-1cCSfBkOzDLfRNcnWWrGAci48OhTCYk7mtATJFbcmIU/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162500.png" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: -24px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgDBDTQV4J72-OpEZrZpRiTXlxrtN7SLq1fXQ_tFoj6w7hUnpuZbymlkVVOGoYCXGAbUeBxiTDgQ8f6kVh4LAOaNyKGZGeJC-1cCSfBkOzDLfRNcnWWrGAci48OhTCYk7mtATJFbcmIU/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162500.png" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: -24px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgDBDTQV4J72-OpEZrZpRiTXlxrtN7SLq1fXQ_tFoj6w7hUnpuZbymlkVVOGoYCXGAbUeBxiTDgQ8f6kVh4LAOaNyKGZGeJC-1cCSfBkOzDLfRNcnWWrGAci48OhTCYk7mtATJFbcmIU/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162500.png" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: -24px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is an easy pro / con list:</span><br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PRO</span></u></b><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgDBDTQV4J72-OpEZrZpRiTXlxrtN7SLq1fXQ_tFoj6w7hUnpuZbymlkVVOGoYCXGAbUeBxiTDgQ8f6kVh4LAOaNyKGZGeJC-1cCSfBkOzDLfRNcnWWrGAci48OhTCYk7mtATJFbcmIU/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162500.png" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: -24px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgDBDTQV4J72-OpEZrZpRiTXlxrtN7SLq1fXQ_tFoj6w7hUnpuZbymlkVVOGoYCXGAbUeBxiTDgQ8f6kVh4LAOaNyKGZGeJC-1cCSfBkOzDLfRNcnWWrGAci48OhTCYk7mtATJFbcmIU/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162500.png" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: -24px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></a>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Less to carry vs a clipboard, paper and pencils</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Easy to report data</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Data is quickly available to the Ocean
Conservancy</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The ability to track your own data and look at what you
(or your team) have collected. This type of data can really help a program measure the direct impact in a community.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">CON</span></u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY13D8c6vcZ9TyHfi3ZsVvdDNwt9czgOmou3A3SNwM-PzxM_I_l_RznEqQy2rI232rSl0bhIp7bF4JXg-DuIAz3g2bk8z-LH6AYP-B2ZY7hVLB1EGqW3RLlrrt47VbokPHBEpZCj4kC4/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162602.png" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY13D8c6vcZ9TyHfi3ZsVvdDNwt9czgOmou3A3SNwM-PzxM_I_l_RznEqQy2rI232rSl0bhIp7bF4JXg-DuIAz3g2bk8z-LH6AYP-B2ZY7hVLB1EGqW3RLlrrt47VbokPHBEpZCj4kC4/s1600/Screenshot_20171008-162602.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The phone must be out and used every 10 seconds
or so. Otherwise it will time out and your cleanup data is lost. I am not aware
of this being fixed via update since my last clean up. I did not find a way to
change the timeout settings.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Clumsy users might want to have someone else
handle the phone while they pick up trash.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the Florida heat, your phone may get hot
being out in the elements. I put mine in a dry bag, and was able to touch the
screen through the plastic, but my phone became very hot since it was on
constantly. (I have a GalaxyS7)</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">NOTE: not necessarily a “CON”, but it is important to understand this is designed to
collect data on <u><b>marine debris</b></u> - meaning shoreline and aquatic debris.
If you are cleaning up a park, the app should not apply and the data collected could
be skewing the overall project results. When cleaning up in a park, and not a reef,
beach or along a freshwater system, do not report your data via this app.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have fun reclaiming the water and consider adding the Clean Swell App to help keep that New Year's Resolution to be a citizen scientist in 2018!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit" , serif; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0doZyRXURJL9D2g2HpcRUJm3ZLRUN24hmoEoMJHRNntJhTYgmI-Y6mHCwtZtpFcZemT8-cTsSskxUb5rU1HInejkf6vhtHWsmRbApfadAHex2GCSHMbwBsphGRNCeHJUe4FGndWmocg8/s1600/IMG_20171007_083841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0doZyRXURJL9D2g2HpcRUJm3ZLRUN24hmoEoMJHRNntJhTYgmI-Y6mHCwtZtpFcZemT8-cTsSskxUb5rU1HInejkf6vhtHWsmRbApfadAHex2GCSHMbwBsphGRNCeHJUe4FGndWmocg8/s320/IMG_20171007_083841.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-76041546061430756032017-11-03T21:34:00.001-04:002017-11-09T11:42:44.508-05:00International Coastal Cleanup<u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">For years I was an avid participant in the International
Coastal Clean Up, and had many sequential years of promotional t-shirts to
prove it. Over time, as my career progressed, I was on the front line and out
in the field far less, which led to me being tied up with other
responsibilities and I was no longer able to attend this iconic event as it
took place all over the world. This time around, I was all set to miss it –
again. Then Hurricane Irma swept our coastlines and filled our streets with
water and debris. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The hurricane, along with the ensuing damage and loss of
power throughout the region, led to a huge number of facilities with live
animals having to delay their events. I would not have made the September
event, but I was able to join the beautiful and unique Sandoway Discovery
Center in Delray Beach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The International Coastal Cleanup is an annual
event put on by the Ocean Conservancy and they have a great site to help you
find one close to home check out the <a href="https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/" target="_blank"><b>Ocean Conservancy's Coastal Cleanup page</b></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hundreds of thousands of volunteers
band together for an amazing joint effort to tackle the trauma caused by marine
debris – a problem that is directly related to human interactions and therefore
a problem that can be directly addressed and the results are quite measurable.
But despite the well-meaning outpour of individuals who make a shining
appearance once a year, I have found that too many show up for this with very
specific and limited intentions:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many of the teens show up for the
community service hours for school.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many of the adults to show up for free
beach parking and a t-shirt.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many of kids don’t even know why they
are there, but hey – it’s the ocean, let’s go!</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to be different. I wanted to do more, but also understood the pressures of life would allow only a limited amount of time. Dedication aside, I wanted to share this experience and make it something special. So, I recruited my 8-yr old son to join me. We spent well over a week discussing the importance of trash in the ocean, and what the significance of the cleanup meant. We looked up photos and shared videos of various marine animal rescues, like the poor Olive Ridley sea turtle with a straw up its nostril that went viral (in case you missed it:<b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH878t78bw" target="_blank">Sea Turtle Straw video</a></b> WARNING, there is strong language in this 8-min video).</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNEki2dCgYeG3bD0N5KGHuLMF5WjnXXd5ytsPYUfhsIwuhIySkwERD4Nr3cO5oeXtxvHFtl5WUg-3DVF-hnlDPGz-7JpQmRzU4OJ0hOOYKAfdPAaG9moOKEq84spq_dRtJPGxb-fctio/s1600/20171007_081823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNEki2dCgYeG3bD0N5KGHuLMF5WjnXXd5ytsPYUfhsIwuhIySkwERD4Nr3cO5oeXtxvHFtl5WUg-3DVF-hnlDPGz-7JpQmRzU4OJ0hOOYKAfdPAaG9moOKEq84spq_dRtJPGxb-fctio/s320/20171007_081823.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i69XG8ukxeFKaN6MzgPgjB3lUg19kgcZiRI0TlqvCoJrCv3cZ-3fEXAOU8suzXrMp1Q5JqHUQWIlQBbGBWIle7-dhfQk_1GNkcvc76vzl9lXGlNd_Qbj7-UBl6eXMiP5Lyn-lrMJB4U/s1600/20171007_082250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On October 7, we trucked down to the
Sandoway Discovery Center. They had a rough time post-Irma and I know some of
the staff there. Part of my son’s reward, unbeknownst to him, was a trip to
Sandoway immediately after our contribution to the cleanup concluded. He was
excited and we arrived before 8:30am ready to work. We checked in, and geared
up with a recycling bag, trash bag, grabber and a new tool to track our trash –
the Clean Swell app downloaded quickly to my smart phone. Jace commandeered the
trash picker and we were ready to rock!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i69XG8ukxeFKaN6MzgPgjB3lUg19kgcZiRI0TlqvCoJrCv3cZ-3fEXAOU8suzXrMp1Q5JqHUQWIlQBbGBWIle7-dhfQk_1GNkcvc76vzl9lXGlNd_Qbj7-UBl6eXMiP5Lyn-lrMJB4U/s1600/20171007_082250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i69XG8ukxeFKaN6MzgPgjB3lUg19kgcZiRI0TlqvCoJrCv3cZ-3fEXAOU8suzXrMp1Q5JqHUQWIlQBbGBWIle7-dhfQk_1GNkcvc76vzl9lXGlNd_Qbj7-UBl6eXMiP5Lyn-lrMJB4U/s320/20171007_082250.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We dropped off some items in the car,
and while there my son must have credit for a great idea – he suggested we
start our cleanup in the parking lot and on the walk to the beach itself.
Nearly half our trash bag was filled before we ever even saw the ocean.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once our toes hit the sand, the beach
was crawling with volunteers and Jace commented on how he hoped we would still
find trash to gather. This is when I received a true wake up – the wrack line
was dense and the beachcombers were not yet out. People wandered around
aimlessly looking from only a standing position, and were missing copious
amounts of tiny trash. Bits of plastic that crumbled into exponentially more
pieces were scattered within the weeds.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKZr4dgJUGewtndv26sJ9Wob3hMbMz9Png2GRzS8Gepm2KUbg8q4QA73KKDeRj4QY2Qpt43T1hseXZmAsDGR5xOYkonLxcpKkSDRjgO8VteADLrVK_ZxK1FZBv6z4-NHaEbTvv3NYErg/s1600/20171007_084158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKZr4dgJUGewtndv26sJ9Wob3hMbMz9Png2GRzS8Gepm2KUbg8q4QA73KKDeRj4QY2Qpt43T1hseXZmAsDGR5xOYkonLxcpKkSDRjgO8VteADLrVK_ZxK1FZBv6z4-NHaEbTvv3NYErg/s400/20171007_084158.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somebody was taking it all in with a smile!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But we persevered from the waterline
to the dune and back down again for half a mile, taking short breaks now and
again to enjoy the sunshine, wind, waves and let mommy add the data to our
list. Bottle caps and bits of plastic or foam dominated our search. Our trash </span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">bag filled while the blue recycling bag stayed
light and near empty. We decided to walk along Ocean Blvd on the way back to
the Discovery Center, and pick up trash along the road as well. By the time we
dropped off the bags of anti-treasure, it was hot and sticky. I can easily
admit disappointment at seeing so many bags left near empty, knowing so many
tiny pieces of plastic remained out in the sand. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzWENqJbs5hVZuZ_Bfar8ez5De_-wPdjlpE94kuQ7d82cTveqBv5ktJF9s7LnU_QrENXnRgPkpOG6s2Zs6F64mkhgxuxgH1etAfvwS1i57eVt35sKkQgm7iRJAp6jXRre_gQCKSN-8i0/s1600/20171007_085349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzWENqJbs5hVZuZ_Bfar8ez5De_-wPdjlpE94kuQ7d82cTveqBv5ktJF9s7LnU_QrENXnRgPkpOG6s2Zs6F64mkhgxuxgH1etAfvwS1i57eVt35sKkQgm7iRJAp6jXRre_gQCKSN-8i0/s320/20171007_085349.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulNIc36rQWi2FRFFmlcp9qsOTWfp3VQ3yKnOj4iBLyow7GIx5j-Stfyd87DJUFTmZi8aEtIEELFHa4MaO9xSGc6VD9G5a0EUhFPu52F-8uF2ZjtupqLKbSECR1dz8OHS8RWHhhRlRVvg/s1600/20171007_085349_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulNIc36rQWi2FRFFmlcp9qsOTWfp3VQ3yKnOj4iBLyow7GIx5j-Stfyd87DJUFTmZi8aEtIEELFHa4MaO9xSGc6VD9G5a0EUhFPu52F-8uF2ZjtupqLKbSECR1dz8OHS8RWHhhRlRVvg/s320/20171007_085349_LI.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What appeared to be 'clean' was far from it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A simple suggestion to rehydrate and
visit the inside of the Center turned the next hour and a half into a new
chapter of exploration. I know we made a real effort during the cleanup and
most certainly earned our shirts, but above all else it felt good to be on the
front lines again.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nCAiqeA5Su-1ky9l3iqHjRF3iuu8HupH4is0tCdpQ1bEWDNS4OJr3zNZgKLYoLF7s7cAVzIOk6XNrtpghrEjkLChQoClSCDRKnKgvfLqz-FESHMU4PazJ6yCGMh8orJtFJZcHuwPnCU/s1600/20171007_094535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nCAiqeA5Su-1ky9l3iqHjRF3iuu8HupH4is0tCdpQ1bEWDNS4OJr3zNZgKLYoLF7s7cAVzIOk6XNrtpghrEjkLChQoClSCDRKnKgvfLqz-FESHMU4PazJ6yCGMh8orJtFJZcHuwPnCU/s320/20171007_094535.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most coastal communities have regular
beach cleanups, and local organizations can usually get you to the right place.
Our local resource is Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.keeppbcbeautiful.org/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://www.keeppbcbeautiful.org</span></a> a
non-profit organization that is a great way to find which organizations are
working together when and where. For those who just need a few hours of
volunteer service, projects like cleanups are easy and rarely require confusing
paperwork or time-consuming waits for approval.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is important to keep it fun and
interesting. Playing games like trash bingo or having planned rewards
post-collection can really help and introducing younger ones to the
significance of what happens to trash left outside is what not only changes
habits but has a lasting impact. Every tiny bit adds up to huge gains, and keep
challenging yourself to make a difference!</span></span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tSl5I3XFtp0ofHHF5WhTKIgmW3JQIHJ9W8nwK2wCe1GRXuHAfcr855ckYLk0SrUsL_YZ2SxbOhxqUIDqlJoxG0YKtm7AR5uyFagWO3hnau-2sd_z3aLzEherLU7irU-RA50_37x394U/s1600/20171007_094529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tSl5I3XFtp0ofHHF5WhTKIgmW3JQIHJ9W8nwK2wCe1GRXuHAfcr855ckYLk0SrUsL_YZ2SxbOhxqUIDqlJoxG0YKtm7AR5uyFagWO3hnau-2sd_z3aLzEherLU7irU-RA50_37x394U/s1600/20171007_094529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tSl5I3XFtp0ofHHF5WhTKIgmW3JQIHJ9W8nwK2wCe1GRXuHAfcr855ckYLk0SrUsL_YZ2SxbOhxqUIDqlJoxG0YKtm7AR5uyFagWO3hnau-2sd_z3aLzEherLU7irU-RA50_37x394U/s320/20171007_094529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, sometimes he can be a little dramatic...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nCAiqeA5Su-1ky9l3iqHjRF3iuu8HupH4is0tCdpQ1bEWDNS4OJr3zNZgKLYoLF7s7cAVzIOk6XNrtpghrEjkLChQoClSCDRKnKgvfLqz-FESHMU4PazJ6yCGMh8orJtFJZcHuwPnCU/s1600/20171007_094535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-15673868449582681012017-09-30T18:49:00.002-04:002018-09-01T09:40:48.810-04:00Trash Talk turned Trash Walk<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksDrtRZK-QDbaFpASaP8rxEnm6RPHgxhfBKlncdmWiTBjwoV0BRrgvsC585ZeDwJ8d-3Tuqyb3HdTysQ_Dga5kSD5BqZ1tNLUvGRF6JT1wose9xtSENPkPA67DuU4Rrue4izcvWNbdtM/s1600/20170907_160045+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksDrtRZK-QDbaFpASaP8rxEnm6RPHgxhfBKlncdmWiTBjwoV0BRrgvsC585ZeDwJ8d-3Tuqyb3HdTysQ_Dga5kSD5BqZ1tNLUvGRF6JT1wose9xtSENPkPA67DuU4Rrue4izcvWNbdtM/s320/20170907_160045+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kael + Thor = 160lbs of doggie-ness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While I love many different types of animals, our current
pet capacity involves the retention and care of two <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">large</i> dogs. Both rescues, one is a pure-bred Alaskan malamute and
the other a standard mutt. Kael, whose name means ‘mighty warrior’, was born in
the heat of Florida when his mother was dumped from a puppy mill. The average
litter size for a malamute is only six, and Kael is one of ten. Having a dog
bred for cold weather living so close to the equator is a challenge, and
walking the dog takes on a whole new meaning when A) he looks like a wolf and
either scares or intrigues people at first sight, B) he weighs 115 lbs. and C) is
prone to overheating due </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">to a thick double coat.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Living in the Florida suburbs, we have a wonderful and
dog-friendly neighborhood – perhaps this is because very few residents actually
have a yard, ourselves included. Whenever the heat takes a step back we jump on
the opportunity to get outside for a real walk and not just a business trip. Often
one of the side effects of hurricanes is a break in the heat, and with
hurricane Irma this past month Kael enjoyed time in the wind and rain – me, not
so much. Watching him outside being a normal dog and not panting heavily within
90 seconds is always a treat for me too, and I decided while getting whipped by
the storm (and, no, we did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> go out
during the height of the inclement weather) that I needed to get out there and
really let my dogs have some quality time on the leash.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was only while regularly walking my dogs post-Irma that I
really began to see all the trash that had piled up in our sweet little neighborhood.
Not just the piles of downed trees and fencing, but all sorts of flotsam and
bits of trash had even blocked the sewer drains. Yards were covered in litter
and rotting filth. People didn’t have power, and windows remained shuttered. It
didn’t look or feel like the nice little blocks I was used to and found myself
getting annoyed at how people could just let these things pile up in their own
space. After all, I had picked up the trash that blew into my yard within two
days… </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0PC2cVeiHfP2MzUVkaE7YatmzdkYw_iZp8t5wcz4gUmwHBjWYXrH_6a7cpBnJu_fzgY9pGZdhEhxRCkzkwIgoPavx_TQCOpMufg7325om7iOMIIZEPlsmCV2B_m-Y1IFiHXNtyXxRIA/s320/20170911_104326+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFXwpQc0lvkJDojo-r4pYgCm3NGnbLSEozc3Bw4thPokH42JMdLL1Up-mVudgAz_oG6esQsPEgXfVD8-AjNGftBd36mBZQ8Fm6jk9Cnce-wx26wSbT_H-HaQH4eoZiFILwlqzE6W2LBw/s1600/20170911_080654+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFXwpQc0lvkJDojo-r4pYgCm3NGnbLSEozc3Bw4thPokH42JMdLL1Up-mVudgAz_oG6esQsPEgXfVD8-AjNGftBd36mBZQ8Fm6jk9Cnce-wx26wSbT_H-HaQH4eoZiFILwlqzE6W2LBw/s320/20170911_080654+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwOoo6rYgk0QbVN6Z_JRG00K9xmlHHn55HOWPJTnXAwuXuO_VXKLRSTVxJJd05FWBNW5Ck5WrhrY7tptEOdhNZdzysCf7KIvhXMCOtwXEfoh7PJx43FcU1GO0p9_FdqjuVvkG5zr8nqU/s1600/20170928_083334+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwOoo6rYgk0QbVN6Z_JRG00K9xmlHHn55HOWPJTnXAwuXuO_VXKLRSTVxJJd05FWBNW5Ck5WrhrY7tptEOdhNZdzysCf7KIvhXMCOtwXEfoh7PJx43FcU1GO0p9_FdqjuVvkG5zr8nqU/s320/20170928_083334+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not talking about the hurricane-induced debris piles, of which there are still so many even weeks later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The hurricane had caused many facilities to reschedule
events, one of which was the International Coastal Cleanup. When power
returned, I decided to sign up myself and my 8-yr old for a cleanup in Delray
Beach in October. I was feeling quite smug and accomplished as I announced to
my son that were going to help clean up the beach – and then it really hit me -
like a plastic bag blowing onto the front windshield of my car on the way to
school (which of course has NEVER happened). Plastic is destroying our oceans.
Countless cleanups and many wonderful organizations dedicate themselves to
ridding the largest biome on this planet of plastic and trash. It takes no time
whatsoever to go online, search the words ‘wildlife’ and ‘trash’ and be
inundated with horrifying photos, videos of poor sea turtles with straws stuck
up their nasal passages, and the ever-present soda can rings of death and destruction.
I know the trash doesn’t necessarily come from boaters or even beach goers. It
can travel by wind and storms, by drainage canals and highways, and I was
walking right past trash every day and doing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nothing.</i></span></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHmJ7oMEQ_ns4_NpY-Y8h_kc_eukpTCJdK9-yMk-gnS2Hczs_p3Fu4K9hetjKWGjm_QVtpc0KYz1P9yoIT-J2SkoPiVFGCA67fVHtINK9dscIWpjikQAqYTqyN8CM1OVRld72RvSlUv4/s1600/bottlecap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHmJ7oMEQ_ns4_NpY-Y8h_kc_eukpTCJdK9-yMk-gnS2Hczs_p3Fu4K9hetjKWGjm_QVtpc0KYz1P9yoIT-J2SkoPiVFGCA67fVHtINK9dscIWpjikQAqYTqyN8CM1OVRld72RvSlUv4/s200/bottlecap.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello there, bottle cap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It started with a bottle cap.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Caps cannot be recycled here in Florida by simply tossing
them into the blue bin and it is best to remove them from bottles before they
are put in the bins. Between our two dogs, I walk ~165 lbs of pup each day. The
cute little doggie bags are no match for the boys, so I put the plastic bags
from the grocer or other stores to use. Despite typically having reusable bags on
hand, I have friends and family who give me their plastic bags specifically for
doggie-doo duty. As I went to pick up after one of the dogs, there was a bottle
cap in the grass nearby. It had obviously been there for a few days, and I
picked it up with a plastic garbed hand while doing my neighborly assignment of
picking up after Thor (he’s the little dog at 50 lbs). And being the unique
person I am, I took a photo for future contemplation.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I stared at the photo that evening and the next day took an
extra bag with me specifically for trash. I didn’t go into any bushes or climb
trees; I didn’t walk any closer to a house that the sidewalk, and yet I was
shocked in the amount of trash collected during a short walk with a panting
malamute. Walking the second dog, I decided to take a different street and
found a whole new array of trashy treasures. I felt so good! No letters to the
HOA complaining, no dirty looks at neighbors (nor from any neighbors either),
and my dogs are getting much better on the leash. Stopping frequently has led
them to be better at heeling and let’s face it, dogs are really good at finding
bits of trash so they are even helping the cause when walking after dark.
Success! I have made the world better!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cy12I3jOqUBOStQsOhuft6rW6OF3lUUC6d9i2UApHxOxzTnUvZeUAIcv3hWzmEGGkgo3i_0mHcOlGN5Bs_uvrwqWbJUhHT__JeAniOm4M2Olux4wvuwhDgNnn29DlRaPmHuqo6T8CEY/s1600/20170928_083756.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cy12I3jOqUBOStQsOhuft6rW6OF3lUUC6d9i2UApHxOxzTnUvZeUAIcv3hWzmEGGkgo3i_0mHcOlGN5Bs_uvrwqWbJUhHT__JeAniOm4M2Olux4wvuwhDgNnn29DlRaPmHuqo6T8CEY/s200/20170928_083756.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibGois-lFu2P4RoLfJDgy6SEaTtl8l8s2kccfQN4yX8ymTFHbIkwzLCF2CIpkMF5jWtOu8AIuXZBx1D1JsP98QkXUfh_WzfVjj90IEQ7XW5s2hYPYBeEDbv8Xmg26MitSnEF_yxuWKh0/s1600/20170928_082854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibGois-lFu2P4RoLfJDgy6SEaTtl8l8s2kccfQN4yX8ymTFHbIkwzLCF2CIpkMF5jWtOu8AIuXZBx1D1JsP98QkXUfh_WzfVjj90IEQ7XW5s2hYPYBeEDbv8Xmg26MitSnEF_yxuWKh0/s320/20170928_082854.jpg" width="240" /></a></u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbvylwsxdESkK4FMl6W4LUpf1v93J_h5lppS8X2a-YPFQgi5LhKohg1joQgfMvzKWVlsZ-HvoQbFJHOQqkzlgGDULQzIsSFmzK2ozpGHaV3iT0ois58T8dEO4NU3J1zGMu3hDM0VxKyY/s1600/20170928_083750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbvylwsxdESkK4FMl6W4LUpf1v93J_h5lppS8X2a-YPFQgi5LhKohg1joQgfMvzKWVlsZ-HvoQbFJHOQqkzlgGDULQzIsSFmzK2ozpGHaV3iT0ois58T8dEO4NU3J1zGMu3hDM0VxKyY/s200/20170928_083750.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 haul - thanks for the help, Thor!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And then, we went for walk the next day – same route, more
trash. But wait, I was just here yesterday?! This makes no sense. So now, we
are about two weeks in to the “trash walk” and the amount being collected is
about the same each time. We rotate our routes, which means I have met more neighbors
and my dogs receive new enrichment of smells, contact with humans, and so many
squirrels eventually they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> stop
lunging at them (right?). I don’t take photos anymore, but I do talk to the
dogs about what we are doing and why it is important. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I look forward to showing my son next month that cleaning
the beach once a year is great, but that we can and will do better. Every bit
of refuse that ends up in the right receptacle and out of the environment is a
good thing, and I am reminded again how small decisions can lead to big results
over time. Who, knows - maybe even a few neighbors here us chatting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am not so sure, however, about how much trash will be
around the neighborhood on November 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> – the day after Halloween.
That should be an interesting walk.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-21354312428128791152012-11-03T21:54:00.001-04:002012-11-04T23:06:23.918-05:00Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_nQttyD01Avya6BKyOH3Nm8tmaFhLx26PdQUbnJbtk3DLfgOl8-1Wma-AFYbXDYNgMhuJDa9XHm0HKbcXF5iLWVyvVGfpsncqU2rhnirzMLSILVoJo9n9Oh_E8x29dPqpSIzDQN78JU/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_nQttyD01Avya6BKyOH3Nm8tmaFhLx26PdQUbnJbtk3DLfgOl8-1Wma-AFYbXDYNgMhuJDa9XHm0HKbcXF5iLWVyvVGfpsncqU2rhnirzMLSILVoJo9n9Oh_E8x29dPqpSIzDQN78JU/s640/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you have spent more than a week anywhere in Florida, then you understand the perfect word to describe the weather here: <em>hot</em>. Even when raining, breaking a sweat is standard order. When the humidity dips below a balmy 90%+, I dive into the hidden regions of the closet to pull out long sleeve tees and light jackets.<br />
Two days after Hurricane Sandy whisked by Florida's east coast, the weather became stunningly un-Floridian. To my family's delight, the humidity dropped below 80% and the temperature <span style="font-family: inherit;">below 75<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">°</span></span>F. Having already been to the local pumpkin patch (and I use that endearing term <em>very</em> loosely; for those of you from where winter is an actual season, do NOT confuse where we went with what you have enjoyed as child), we were ready for a family hike. The child's hiking backpack was retrieved from the garage the previous night and ready for adventure!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XzA7Lay9BicPvz6pFCJYG91GvSxge0mT8VDTNKMOPV7K2n3wMbEdqh8SkxBkdTTbMhYg_Hb8Swcg8NOcLLcGDykInfHAv05igQ_eEtubBp5ShNv8BunDYsApbPS2KGqzu22U76M8jRo/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XzA7Lay9BicPvz6pFCJYG91GvSxge0mT8VDTNKMOPV7K2n3wMbEdqh8SkxBkdTTbMhYg_Hb8Swcg8NOcLLcGDykInfHAv05igQ_eEtubBp5ShNv8BunDYsApbPS2KGqzu22U76M8jRo/s400/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+121.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contemplating the Map</td></tr>
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</a>I want to take a moment to give credit to the wonderful invention pictured here in use. My son was in a stroller twice from birth to 4 months in age, and was never keen on the limited view available from a stroller or a rear-facing car seat. The American-made Kelty used here has served us well across the country to areas including Las Vegas and Monterey Bay. I'm not sure if it is the close proximity to his favorite person, or just the chance to see everything from a grownup's point of view that keeps our little adventurer happy out on the trail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc7LMkCMTOjR-MfGJHXOrKV78XkUhZGBD-dhFoG3e4viYI5eRq74MNtBLzC8tPoJFErdMFLQcAYcUTA_9RV3-QG1-6Bhcjlu84b3XjlcEndMzEW9DET0u_O9e-I8R2p1D6CMyjWbnb4Y/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc7LMkCMTOjR-MfGJHXOrKV78XkUhZGBD-dhFoG3e4viYI5eRq74MNtBLzC8tPoJFErdMFLQcAYcUTA_9RV3-QG1-6Bhcjlu84b3XjlcEndMzEW9DET0u_O9e-I8R2p1D6CMyjWbnb4Y/s640/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Close to home is a rare treasure - the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Run by the FWS, but also supported by non-profits and FWC, the first thing I suggest you do prior to visiting is to take the time to check out the website: <a href="http://www.fws.gov/loxahatchee/">http://www.fws.gov/loxahatchee/</a>. The second thing I recommend is to have $5 cash in hand. The front gate is not always manned, and payment into the park is still on the honor system. It is only $5 per car, so don't be chincy and just fork it over. Your family will definitely get your money's worth!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1JvXVCBZyA9Ay7Q33WJGZ06n66G_6yL95_WRUxKKSB3G-89E29eiSgIU6APuiKa_KiCnrTbyk_00fsrHq9GXLv82Li4tPktaSU-7e4NwC8WEkBaHzdB2R2ehE3VZIbpX9l1q0y3cqiI/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1JvXVCBZyA9Ay7Q33WJGZ06n66G_6yL95_WRUxKKSB3G-89E29eiSgIU6APuiKa_KiCnrTbyk_00fsrHq9GXLv82Li4tPktaSU-7e4NwC8WEkBaHzdB2R2ehE3VZIbpX9l1q0y3cqiI/s320/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+016.JPG" width="213" /></a>We started our rediscovery of the LOX Refuge at the beautiful Visitor Center, then headed out to the boardwalk - ready to enjoy every moment of the wonderful weather. The staff on site were extremely friendly and seemed genuinely happy to see us there, very cool first impression! The boardwalk is well shaded and in excellent condition. Out little guy was able to run around, but also peek between the rails, see cool things, and point them out all by himself. The flora and fauna are true to the Seminole word <em>Loxahatchee </em>(technically "low chow") and its meaning "river of turtles". We also heard a symphony of insects and birds on this particular day. There are guided walks along this boardwalk for those in search of the details on species above and below the water line. This day the water was higher than normal due to recent rains, which made for an excellent and comfortable nature walk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RlCWlvhosmxSH1k519id7e1dC1TBvz2NEyRNudUywZ8wDKAz1MkSbTp7EFIKwxbCDKro0Oj9hdUuAn0oCh6cQwIS5qVXNtIVsdiZ391kjnrcxLCRPrumXUp3DjrQ4SIaTjNz48iRGeE/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RlCWlvhosmxSH1k519id7e1dC1TBvz2NEyRNudUywZ8wDKAz1MkSbTp7EFIKwxbCDKro0Oj9hdUuAn0oCh6cQwIS5qVXNtIVsdiZ391kjnrcxLCRPrumXUp3DjrQ4SIaTjNz48iRGeE/s200/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+018.JPG" width="133" /></a>The Everglades also bears the unofficial title "River of Grass", a term coined by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in her 1947 book by that same name. The book is, well, a bit dry for my taste. Still, it captures in epic description the senses and sites experience throughout the Everglades as a large, fluid ecosystem. For those of you unfamiliar with wetlands ecology, I shall save the "101" for another post, but essentially the Everglades is comprised of both swamps and marshes. Swamps are wetlands with trees, and as you can see are plentiful in the boardwalk portion of the ARM Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The cypress trees towering overhead with dangling old man's beard and air plants is still one of my favorite non-ocean related views. </div>
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This freshwater ecosystem is not stagnant; the water is constantly, albeit slowly, moving throughout the state of Florida. The Loxahatchee watershed alone is well over 200 square miles and just as important to the humans living in this area as it is to migrating wildlife. The Refuge is also iconic when it comes to nature hikes and bird watching. Personally, I am not a "bird-er", but if you want to get in that mood before coming and exploring one of many vibrate nature hikes, watch the movie <em>The Big Year </em>(2011; starring Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson). This feature was unfortunately billed as a comedy instead of a heartfelt movie that addresses serious issues including family dynamics, prioritizing career decisions, and personal discovery. While I do not know how the hard core bird community felt about the movie peeking into their favorite obsession, I enjoyed it immensely (and watched it several times) and scenes from the film kept swooping into my mind while walking through the Refuge - this place must be slammin' during migration season!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pFCHTI31Lr_t2dBY3pXMifAIKFx1g6gBeDXb9extGsHz_wVdCZCKwam_3tKTE9W5YfSLnNo-Tw_vXcjGV0dhrWZM67GzP7Vow-bdXERGjJ7ze1GNSWXIPOciQOnB42YneCZf7HlklcM/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pFCHTI31Lr_t2dBY3pXMifAIKFx1g6gBeDXb9extGsHz_wVdCZCKwam_3tKTE9W5YfSLnNo-Tw_vXcjGV0dhrWZM67GzP7Vow-bdXERGjJ7ze1GNSWXIPOciQOnB42YneCZf7HlklcM/s400/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making his own discovery</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj018VQoTc3evF2EVIzIGlx4bvvh2wu7xglDoZy89IBCMFQzuXLUX9k8XvMo5pXP8z3zc-2m0NRoWjyBXkvhgC9NO-G2NTEEyiDTLFZKDdtWZTkw0f4XiaswfcYkHmgC9C26erUDTZxr94/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj018VQoTc3evF2EVIzIGlx4bvvh2wu7xglDoZy89IBCMFQzuXLUX9k8XvMo5pXP8z3zc-2m0NRoWjyBXkvhgC9NO-G2NTEEyiDTLFZKDdtWZTkw0f4XiaswfcYkHmgC9C26erUDTZxr94/s200/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+040.JPG" width="200" /></a>There were some bird houses nestled off the boardwalk, but still in good view for those walking and searching for wildlife. Jace found his own friend and was enamored for over 30 seconds! In toddler time this is quite a feat. He visibly jumped when the moth flew off, and would not leave the area until we found it again and he knew it was safe. Only then, after saying goodbye, we were allowed to move on.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZcrRi080i_mUqo0PUw4kQDMkyut9JI8xS5Vt0b1UN5FSA2dARLi25Aji7li8vKXETleJyYPyk2iLTCWXDNQtIKgOW1x6iClI-9YKrUyHxz85IlDyMHMWWnn9ZqnawSAzCGB4_k6WjPY/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZcrRi080i_mUqo0PUw4kQDMkyut9JI8xS5Vt0b1UN5FSA2dARLi25Aji7li8vKXETleJyYPyk2iLTCWXDNQtIKgOW1x6iClI-9YKrUyHxz85IlDyMHMWWnn9ZqnawSAzCGB4_k6WjPY/s400/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+041.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look at Jace's new friend</td></tr>
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Be sure to bring your camera on this trip, and your best shots can be submitted in the annual photography contest too. Teachers can enjoy the park with a group of kids, or as students themselves, as part of Project WILD. Miles of levees can also be enjoyed on a bicycle, just be sure to bring water - after all, it <em>is </em>still Florida weather! This is not serious trail riding, though, so hard core bikers should stem their expectations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu7rw6wgJ_DJ4C-HWuTfVluNUl9VrtTDvnZaM8jwH4BfwIkNCyr_79q3VWhTfrLPVkp6PGblzYNsKqA-PLPNQzkK8uwl4o7gkPttQr252oUuYbaJ377507HsCYr9TVcGNOfaQj0f5hjA/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu7rw6wgJ_DJ4C-HWuTfVluNUl9VrtTDvnZaM8jwH4BfwIkNCyr_79q3VWhTfrLPVkp6PGblzYNsKqA-PLPNQzkK8uwl4o7gkPttQr252oUuYbaJ377507HsCYr9TVcGNOfaQj0f5hjA/s400/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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After completing the boardwalk, we headed out on the Marsh Trail, and immediately found a family struggling on the gravel/dirt/grass trail with a standard stroller. Nobody appeared happy except the 5 year old running ahead of everyone gleefully. Poor mom was grunting and fighting with the stroller, and the toddler that was probably supposed to be inside it was sitting on dad's shoulders. Moral of the story? If you are bringing a stroller, it had better be off-road ready or maybe your family should stay off the trails this time. See the above photo of our hiking backpack as another option!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTV4JgXWhYyU8vOXuCuNs8QPcNU52bveIlfnzR7zrna1EONFCkAKnAzoMSfR18GtUyWnSLR5Jfo-ky1IDjZfKN6XV1fC4zdFlKIA77TnhaSUkDMlWqDjfzabsRxByu_fFd0jV-xXWeWQ/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTV4JgXWhYyU8vOXuCuNs8QPcNU52bveIlfnzR7zrna1EONFCkAKnAzoMSfR18GtUyWnSLR5Jfo-ky1IDjZfKN6XV1fC4zdFlKIA77TnhaSUkDMlWqDjfzabsRxByu_fFd0jV-xXWeWQ/s320/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+088.JPG" width="320" /></a>We spotted the wildlife watching post pictured here, and made that our target. In less than 30 minutes, with Jace running around most of that time, we were atop the tower and ready to enjoy the great breeze and the welcome cool breeze. This perfect spot to take a break branches off into 3 different trails, and includes a large set of binoculars that does <u>not</u> cost a quarter for 30 seconds of viewing! It is FREE!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p7xjfwcZ-6DkCgPywW35bG6OvX6JXimLb2shonYzDC95x6_JKnXSz5jkHKLA-2v4hg3WZPkm1FgIokN4sLjQw72kvl0UBpcOnkExOS3ECYTrpSXtFI4wA5TLlkHco1CGOtYLy3opVs0/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p7xjfwcZ-6DkCgPywW35bG6OvX6JXimLb2shonYzDC95x6_JKnXSz5jkHKLA-2v4hg3WZPkm1FgIokN4sLjQw72kvl0UBpcOnkExOS3ECYTrpSXtFI4wA5TLlkHco1CGOtYLy3opVs0/s400/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+103.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My guys taking a break and discussing where to go next</td></tr>
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Some of the birds found along the trail included the great blue heron, great egrets, gallinoles, ibis, cattle egrets, and a few more I am certain on the species. As mentioned before, I am not a true birder. We heard, and saw baby gators too. Sorry, none of those photos turned out well so they are not included here.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2Q14ax4iL1jL1U3_RSgFSK-hXRmMk-jucdw9Sq5ULZkmieGourXHpqWXCMgRT99CugY2u2gD2UtN43GqntKc3J769EUL4b_Br7abWjJ1iZwY8ayqQlKOrYYOallvYvbIvN9qWtROCcM/s1600/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2Q14ax4iL1jL1U3_RSgFSK-hXRmMk-jucdw9Sq5ULZkmieGourXHpqWXCMgRT99CugY2u2gD2UtN43GqntKc3J769EUL4b_Br7abWjJ1iZwY8ayqQlKOrYYOallvYvbIvN9qWtROCcM/s640/LoxahatcheeWildlifeRefuge+116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many scenic shots, this one features a great egret</td></tr>
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Not sure when to visit? The annual free event, Everglades Day is not a bad place to start. The place will be overflowing with visitors and exhibitors, guest lectures and animal interactions. This day is the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge at its biggest and brightest, so take advantage of it! The 14th year of the event is February 9th, 2013, and the theme is "Healthy Everglades, Healthy People". Details about the event is also on the Refuge website.</div>
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All photos were taken by me, on the day described in this post. Feel free to use them, but please provide photo credit, and if you are really feeling generous - a link or post to this blog.<br />
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When the weather gives you a pleasant surprise, do not waste it by spending the entire time indoors! Have some fun with your family bright and early... then enjoy football later (like we did) and still have a wonderful, high quality day! </div>
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-Callie Sharkey</div>
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<br />Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-33183536038820992462012-10-13T17:04:00.001-04:002012-10-16T10:35:09.503-04:00Oceana Coffee - Café Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi7NPVOZWkNDAPNcj3ficNc8h61OKHSpI8yd5V6cZ8t974gGRkKE0azLQIkNIAf8PPP7CEVB2mGMJnabTTeQsJQrVk_zjZ7vCRT2FKAz5SlFljeCObJ5TJid56jeKJdt6RbO4Bfjk-6s/s1600/oceanacoffeelogo+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi7NPVOZWkNDAPNcj3ficNc8h61OKHSpI8yd5V6cZ8t974gGRkKE0azLQIkNIAf8PPP7CEVB2mGMJnabTTeQsJQrVk_zjZ7vCRT2FKAz5SlFljeCObJ5TJid56jeKJdt6RbO4Bfjk-6s/s1600/oceanacoffeelogo+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1642725691"></span><span id="goog_1642725692">Water is the most consumed liquid on the planet. No surprise there. When looking for the runners up I was shocked to be inundated by useless websites, but can state with reasonable certainty #2 is between tea and coffee (depending on the source) with alcohol close behind.</span><br />
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Over the last few years, I have evolved into a full on coffee drinker and anyone who has ever seen me prior to 9 am... well, at basically any time of day... has probably spotted me and a travel mug of coffee within arm's reach. This does not mean in any way that I understood a single thing about coffee aside from how to use my 2-4 cup Mr. Coffee maker. As my mugs grew larger, I have since upgraded to a 12 cup version. I swear I don't drink the whole pot, really I mean it.<br />
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While working at a local nature center/aquarium, I taught kid's yoga and also found myself leading the story time programs on a regular basis. As a brilliant plus, coffee is served to adults at the River Center's free "Starfish & Coffee" story time. Being the most avid coffee drinker amongst the staff, I made the dark drink using a boring generic brand we kept stored in the freezer for "freshness".<br />
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When Amy Angelo walked into my yoga class as just a mom with 2 great kids, I had no idea of how this encounter would essentially change my way of thinking about a vital part of my daily routine. She is the founder and owner of Oceana Coffee, along with her husband Scott, and one of those ladies working moms can see as a true role model.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9h8e6N-OfBp4Sorpd6bh0wm9HQAyNFy4Qs1V0aIvDVpHloeTMtiLjdgHY6pgLJM1wmOYRBemV52iFqBgwlQxQZuA5xt31bFD5eaIZ2t-FrVeU7yfPq-pMsYec5Xw0FjeQ7ydXL8pYM0/s1600/OceanaBooth.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9h8e6N-OfBp4Sorpd6bh0wm9HQAyNFy4Qs1V0aIvDVpHloeTMtiLjdgHY6pgLJM1wmOYRBemV52iFqBgwlQxQZuA5xt31bFD5eaIZ2t-FrVeU7yfPq-pMsYec5Xw0FjeQ7ydXL8pYM0/s320/OceanaBooth.png" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oceana Coffee at the River Center's Birthday Bash</td></tr>
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Before the first Oceana Coffee location opened, and patronage was only available online, Amy brought her kids to our story time and immediately grabbed me after the program. "I'm sorry, Callie. We love this place and your program, but I cannot in good conscience let you serve that coffee anymore." Oceana Coffee became a sponsor for the River Center, providing a refined level of excellent coffee for all programs, events, and staff. Basically, I got spoiled - quick.<br />
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I started buying coffee for home use, as presents for friends and family, and even took 2 freshly ground lbs with me up to West Virginia because based on previous holiday trips the coffee pickins were gonna be slim. Better to make my own each morning and leave the extras for the owners of the condo to savor as a token of my gratitude.<br />
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By the time they opened a cafe in Tequesta at the end of 2011, I had been waiting far too long to get the full "Oceana Experience". My first coffee was made courtesy of Chris Sands - which I think is a totally cool name for somebody working at a place with <em>ocean</em> in the title - and it changed my coffee religion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IGvNL52IPFYhe6O0z6z-fEn8Kln-VNEhShhKNvBj1Cwu6OAgYu6s4c6HHQNsOi5xk62fffnA94PEFkEVn7Gw_BIlkKFIQTgwi6S9Pivydt4tk3ejiRxQmkAOUyEhD3ARmYYXlSfgvjE/s1600/DSCN1969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IGvNL52IPFYhe6O0z6z-fEn8Kln-VNEhShhKNvBj1Cwu6OAgYu6s4c6HHQNsOi5xk62fffnA94PEFkEVn7Gw_BIlkKFIQTgwi6S9Pivydt4tk3ejiRxQmkAOUyEhD3ARmYYXlSfgvjE/s400/DSCN1969.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As always, thank you, Chris!</td></tr>
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I also met Brooke Kruhm, who began my coffee education within moments. When purchasing my first pound of coffee, she asked what type of coffee maker I had at home. Uh, Mr. Coffee? What does it matter? She smiled and clarified: french press, drip filter...? Oh, I get it now. It does matter how the beans themselves are ground. Question #2 from Brooke: How do you store your coffee? Would you like a resealable bag? Oh, I just store it in the freezer. Brooke's eyes grew large and then softened as she truly came to realize what a coffee rookie looked like, staring ignorantly at her and smiling - goofily numbed by some amazing mocha and open to all suggestions from the coffee gurus. Oh no, sweetie, don't do that ever again. Now promise me you will not put this in the freezer, or else I won't give it to you. <em>Wait... you say I, I ... can't have my awesome coffee if I put in the freezer?!!</em> "Yes, ma'am. I promise. It won't happen again. I'm sorry." I have made certain to keep that promise.<br />
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Ok, so right now maybe you think I am just a crazy caffeine addict, but for those who enjoy another popular worldwide beverage ponder these points:<br />
<ul>
<li>The best beers come from microbreweries. If you dont' agree, then you have not sampled nearly enough specialty beers to understand.</li>
<li>Teas have a variety of unique blends and can be brewed to different strengths and tastes. Anyone who cannot tell the difference between black, white, and green teas may as well stick with straight water.</li>
<li>Good wine can have complexity and depth. Sommeliers were biologically proven to have more taste buds and a more sensitive palate than the typical human being. It takes years to develop a beautiful wine, and I now know that coffee can be just as intricate in flavor and scent.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heaven exists, and it comes in an eco-friendly cup</td></tr>
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Freshness is vital to any agricultural product. Gourmet restaurants pride themselves in using local produce and the high quality of their ingredients; coffee is no different. At Oceana Coffee, the beans are carefully selected and shipped in fresh; then they are roasted at the shop itself. The Angelos even announce "roasting events" where the public is invited to stay after normal business hours to experience the art of this process for themselves. Talk about getting a real coffee education!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjB03Ell-Qt-25b3Q4C4zLbPahHTw8e2fViEwaddTg8nZZD3ZwRHjFEi6qHDqVN-jwOW-QdumrebPlhI3Sb0iiU0fheCc7PZ0tACUduJF0mszrwm_2QNrta7zrfikIOlbV3TSnJaL0jA/s1600/DSCN1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greeted through the front door by the machine that makes the magic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajMXQmvN9Sh-JKe8kU7A97_lRAnM6NcI3I7UVvcZuxm4rRlPl8VA1Lo1cb2mzgbgt1MuVGHGXkbts99oAU2w6oQ5cM3_qtSpwBezjL_G0mfpdbSS5XSC0QMcJpSzyCPqBbjpD3Cm5M9c/s1600/DSCN1976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajMXQmvN9Sh-JKe8kU7A97_lRAnM6NcI3I7UVvcZuxm4rRlPl8VA1Lo1cb2mzgbgt1MuVGHGXkbts99oAU2w6oQ5cM3_qtSpwBezjL_G0mfpdbSS5XSC0QMcJpSzyCPqBbjpD3Cm5M9c/s200/DSCN1976.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kid-friendly corner</td></tr>
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While having a toddler has contributed greatly to my need for/love of coffee, I wouldn't exactly refer to the typical cafe as being kid-friendly. This is NOT the case at Oceana! Remember, I was introduced to Amy as a mom first, and being a parent was carefully taken into consideration when crafting the interior of her shop. There is a kid's corner - toys, puzzles, books, and even a kid friendly computer with <a href="http://pbskids.org/go/">http://pbskids.org/go/</a> already on screen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiHv2fSPUyHcvKSaEaZra-7ANnyKMBr80b9yvhrIsF8mnI9XeJoPRITs6CTPCfPOh2yX0rsAjX1TDdckBAZAc7Qq8oXoiKKa0URwAV13eTb5VqyqyCEVx9ZlAJcj0SzLvWmZTLXawsE4/s1600/DSCN1979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiHv2fSPUyHcvKSaEaZra-7ANnyKMBr80b9yvhrIsF8mnI9XeJoPRITs6CTPCfPOh2yX0rsAjX1TDdckBAZAc7Qq8oXoiKKa0URwAV13eTb5VqyqyCEVx9ZlAJcj0SzLvWmZTLXawsE4/s200/DSCN1979.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making friends quickly</td></tr>
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It took Jace about 3 seconds to find the toys and settle in happily. Oceana Coffee will even make a "baby-cino" (steamed milk in a tiny cup) so your little one can have their "coffee" too! Since Oceana was not created as a fast-food style coffee shop, having a way to keep my little boy happy is a priceless commodity that actually allows me to sit down to drink a cup of coffee - any parent knows this is quite a luxury in itself. To put things simply: Jace cried when my cup was empty and it was time to go. We were there for 45 minutes last time and he still wanted to stick around and enjoy the atmosphere.<br />
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There are also pastries and some useful gift ideas, but this place is all about the coffee and sharing the opportunity to enjoy it as the coffee gods intended - slow and relaxed. Meanwhile, I have also been reading the book <em>Onward</em> by Starbucks founder Howard Schultz and realized something incredibly interesting about the company and its path to mass market success. I am positive that Schultz would walk into Oceana Coffee and not only be blown away by the experience, but reminded that this is how his own little coffee dream began. Wouldn't it be amazing to be a part of something great in the very beginning? Well, Oceana is already expanding to a second location - so here is your chance.<br />
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To learn far more about coffee than I could ever understand, including links to great video tutorials check out their website: <a href="http://www.oceanacoffee.com/">http://www.oceanacoffee.com/</a>. Go there, get the history and feel for some amazing locally roasted coffee. Once smitten, try ordering some to be shipped in case you aren't exactly local. I also recommend following them on facebook. The staff attends green markets and various community events regularly, and the social network is a great way to stalk them and know when/where to track down the best coffee in town. Admit it, don't you hate it when you settle for nationwide chain coffee just to find a quaint little cafe 2 streets down?<br />
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Oceana Coffee is not about rushing around or waiting in lines and fighting over the last bagel. This lovely local cafe harnesses their passion for coffee and will lure its guests into the fold with open arms and warm smiles. They know the product intimately, and every roasted bean and filled cup expresses this proudly. I consider myself lucky to have found them over a year ago, and perhaps my latest compliment to Oceana Coffee's premium product and staff - I bought a coffee grinder.<br />
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In case the review isn't clear on this one:<br />
~~~~~ (5 out of 5 waves), and I think that is a first even for me.<br />
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Never be too busy to enjoy a cup with friends or family... maybe have a sip after a SUP session?<br />
-Callie SharkeyCallie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-76723379900031874752012-09-29T16:58:00.000-04:002012-09-29T16:58:01.342-04:00Invasive Species 101: Lionfish in Local Waters<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ971EWcGOhYEg_Lkx9ZdMI4qCHWa0zL7fOuaFc17t4HnhauzZ2vCpV5SwGs_Zj_Xqv8UI1F47GQwX8j81zenD8OBfHR14ZkotWE7th4EYyKQpAxB-sN5N920q6vsy_s8ZtsEn2KLRSRA/s1600/lionfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ971EWcGOhYEg_Lkx9ZdMI4qCHWa0zL7fOuaFc17t4HnhauzZ2vCpV5SwGs_Zj_Xqv8UI1F47GQwX8j81zenD8OBfHR14ZkotWE7th4EYyKQpAxB-sN5N920q6vsy_s8ZtsEn2KLRSRA/s400/lionfish.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lionfish, <em>Pterois volitans</em> and <em>Ptrois miles</em> found very far from their native home</td></tr>
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There are waves and trends that flow through every field from fashion to education. Those particular two divisions melded together for me about 10 years ago when I bought a t-shirt that simply read "Green is the New Black". Think about health food trends: oat bran, wheat bran, no carbs, vegetarian friendly - as our worldwide culture constantly evolves, there is also regular shifting among conservation efforts too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eubjpV47XvCUxqT-EKzwyUWxJoz0UIzz9MUr44eAml1odovaA2GARn-wAMpprWxDug7X7jXV-JyWCycQbfbhO-f8P7_ImDxnNCkrazFh_fLuSa6yR_y8kPJN2lZViVbCd5UXEvO6UwY/s1600/Recyclesymbol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eubjpV47XvCUxqT-EKzwyUWxJoz0UIzz9MUr44eAml1odovaA2GARn-wAMpprWxDug7X7jXV-JyWCycQbfbhO-f8P7_ImDxnNCkrazFh_fLuSa6yR_y8kPJN2lZViVbCd5UXEvO6UwY/s320/Recyclesymbol.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new eco-based 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle</td></tr>
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Once upon a time, recycling was depicted as a homeless person in the big metropolis pushing a shopping cart around and digging through trash in search of valuable glass bottles or aluminum cans. Now theme parks with large mouse ears on everything boast recycling bins throughout the park, conveniently located right next to standard trash bins. Small children in school are learning a very different 3 R's than our grandparents did: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. From experience I <em>know</em> that kids are getting that phrase hammered into their brains at a very early age; but do they really understand what it means and how to implement these changes in their everyday lives? Eh, maybe / maybe not.<br />
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A few years ago, the theme of plastic tailgated the recycling party. While this is still an extremely important issue across the globe, as Heidi states in every episode of <em>Project Runway</em>, "One day you're in, and the next day you're out." I watched the next trend and was very much involved in sharing the message of "Water". Water is a limited resource and far more valuable than any fossil fuel, but just wasn't getting the attention deserved. Too many people living in "civilized" areas were, and still are, taking water for granted. Living in a state which suffers serious droughts and water restrictions most years has taught me how little human beings understand water as a limited commodity. Florida might be surrounded by water, but it is undrinkable and would kill most plants. <em>That </em>particular concept I took on as personal challenge to teach to as many children as possible. Kids simply don't often ask questions like: Where does water come from? Where does it go when I am done with it? What would happen if the water ran out?<br />
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These questions are just as important as recycling and global warming, plus all of those issues are integrated on a very tightly knit little blue planet. In fashion, by the time a style or article of clothing makes it to the shopping mall, it is time for the industry to move on; otherwise, it wouldn't be cutting edge, right? So, now that the plight of water has made it onto to episodes of <em>Super Why</em> (popular toddler's educational cartoon about reading/spelling on PBS and Sprout networks) and even become the main topic for the Girl Scouts of America's Brownie level Journey: Wonders of Water (W.O.W.), I look ahead and feel comfortable predicting the next new eco-friendly trend. By the way, I <em>did</em> also predict the water trend - so it helps my confidence in calling out the next play.<br />
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So what is the latest environmental impact that <strong><em>YOU</em></strong> should know about to remain cutting edge on the eco-front?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">INVASIVE SPECIES</span></strong></div>
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<strong></strong> </div>
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Now, I would never throw a pitch without teaching you how to swing, so get you ready for the next wave of conservation efforts that are already in place despite not always making the media headlines. Here is the 101 needed for understanding invasives.<strong></strong></div>
<br />
First, a few foundation terms that it never hurts to properly define:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Species" means a group of organisms all of which have a high degree of physical
and genetic similarity, generally interbreed only among themselves, and show
persistent differences from members of allied groups of organisms."</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Native species" means, with respect to a particular ecosystem, a species that,
other than as a result of an introduction, historically occurred or currently
occurs in that ecosystem."</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Invasive species" means an alien species whose introduction does or is likely
to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health."</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbPXtAjXMW3UMFgLr6EdBhQ_C_A7IUZMY7IbnZjeBAr5uyMxVaRCR4W7oqnQkek6h9eaBRxpcG8gO73JY65moFfLxZOoWEJMTlRPK0AJxalWy1txtWH2wAPcmvkzd_Vg-2rg57sAO6UY/s1600/lemur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbPXtAjXMW3UMFgLr6EdBhQ_C_A7IUZMY7IbnZjeBAr5uyMxVaRCR4W7oqnQkek6h9eaBRxpcG8gO73JY65moFfLxZOoWEJMTlRPK0AJxalWy1txtWH2wAPcmvkzd_Vg-2rg57sAO6UY/s320/lemur.jpg" width="320" /></a>Let's start by looking at these terms. Basically, a "native" means this organism has always been found in a region naturally. There is a term often used interchangeably and inaccurately with "invasive" and that is "exotic". An exotic species is not necessarily an invasive species. One escaped pet lemur roaming around the neighborhood is simply an exotic animal on the loose. It will not establish a breeding population all by itself, and will not cause any large scale or long term negative impacts to the ecosystem where it is wandering around.<br />
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An invasive species is much different. It has adapted to the environment and is <em>breeding</em>. By adding an entirely new population to an ecosystem, now there is the threat of serious, detrimental impact.<br />
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Look back in the archives to "Jellyfish 101" to see my first mention of an invasive species in local waters - the <em>Tripedalia cystophora </em>box jelly (July 2012). Invasive plants and animals are an issue every time explorers set foot on new lands, so this is not a new problem. The United States Department of Agriculture even has an Invasive Species Council that was established back in 1999 to take on the arguably impossible task of tracking and stopping invasives from establishing themselves.<br />
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Most of the invasive species to an area don't get attention because they are organisms like non-toxic plants or critters low on the food chain. An invasive plant that does not sting like Africanized bees or eat your small dog as a large boa constrictor might simply do not garner extensive media coverage. Take a very short walk anywhere in Florida and several lizard species will be darting out of the way - none of them are native save for the small green anole and the bluish black skink. But since they do not grow to the impressive 4' and up of an iguana, most people do not see them as a problem even though many tinier animals are now at risk of endangerment and extinction due to the uninvited reptiles' presence.<br />
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So how exactly does a species go from being simply an exotic to an invasive?<br />
<ul>
<li>Often these invaders become very successful predators. This concept does not exclude plants. Many vines and shrubs will move into an area and choke out the previous residents. (i.e. Brazilian pepper, <em>Schinus terebinthifolius</em>). The Australian Pine (<em>Casuarina sp.</em>) sheds needles with a high acidic content, and over time the soil below the tree itself becomes too acidic for much of the local fauna to grow.</li>
<li>Generally, the local wildlife does not see this new inhabitant as either threat or food. So potential predators overlook the new food source, and instead the population booms.</li>
<li>Invasives breed successfully, and often.</li>
<li>Natural processes do not apply to an invasive species</li>
</ul>
To better explain, I will use a marine invader that is adapting so quickly and efficiently, researchers and conservationist are pulling out all the stops to get the public on board and involved in this local eco-war: Lionfish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXTDp3fmSMy4HqhGse2xSp6k1Ct-MVoAANW-VUd1aZgFFactQoZhHnlJ2wn0lZs9bf3CE5xGZdj73D9WiEgIAM6-Urm3AeCxS8zRgmHHqXYW2fitA_94o__3iC8ePP7bkV-D1JPwdzgk/s1600/PredPreyphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXTDp3fmSMy4HqhGse2xSp6k1Ct-MVoAANW-VUd1aZgFFactQoZhHnlJ2wn0lZs9bf3CE5xGZdj73D9WiEgIAM6-Urm3AeCxS8zRgmHHqXYW2fitA_94o__3iC8ePP7bkV-D1JPwdzgk/s640/PredPreyphoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A very successful predator on local reefs is the schoolmaster snapper (pictured above). The bait in this particular predator/prey relationship are small grunts. This photos shows clearly how the prey recognizes its predator and swims around the snapper, staying out just out of striking distance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbewc-XKPQ5zwgA7bycdUE9UHPpN6TbcgQ9kbf0bf9RCCS11H6dtOHJ7z69h3aByLRw7Ng8DT8dLxr-3wvs_vlIFwjwqkAQhxyGL-T8SgnjTv5q8g_WRqHjMHfGcNy_oiIoWVxV75uj0/s1600/lionfishPrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbewc-XKPQ5zwgA7bycdUE9UHPpN6TbcgQ9kbf0bf9RCCS11H6dtOHJ7z69h3aByLRw7Ng8DT8dLxr-3wvs_vlIFwjwqkAQhxyGL-T8SgnjTv5q8g_WRqHjMHfGcNy_oiIoWVxV75uj0/s640/lionfishPrey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Grunts in the same area on a similar reef behave in a completely different manner with the lionfish. While many of the fish in the photo above could be eaten, they pay no attention to the predator in their midst. This allows for the lionfish to essentially gorge themselves on a regular basis. Study of stomach contents has shown lionfish will eat around 80% of the animals found on reefs, including crabs, shrimp, and fish species. They can also consume an animal almost 1/2 their own size in one big gulp.<br />
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Where are lionfish native? The Indo-Pacific region:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPBM03Jywi5mFWvsqUM0YmbhCd5i57nkeI51LKL1rn1AZEgGRyaI-yCQZP1ns7uZIW7TnhzdlyyCZuK9AQKUiW5JJshdXtcRtOEHr9O6oleoymDqW5d0j_DxGDKqwYZzWwnCYGLG_yTg/s1600/lionfishnative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPBM03Jywi5mFWvsqUM0YmbhCd5i57nkeI51LKL1rn1AZEgGRyaI-yCQZP1ns7uZIW7TnhzdlyyCZuK9AQKUiW5JJshdXtcRtOEHr9O6oleoymDqW5d0j_DxGDKqwYZzWwnCYGLG_yTg/s400/lionfishnative.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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How did they get halfway across the planet? These bottom dwelling fish are not the type to migrate into open water, and certainly not across long distances. So, like every other invasive, they are introduced to an area. Lionfish are an extremely popular decorative aquarium fish. I have personally spoken to dozens of people who kept them and soon realized that the other tank residents were disappearing, until only the lionfish and anything too big for it to eat remained.<br />
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An invasive species may arrive in the form of pets that are released often enough to find mates and breed, but sometimes an exotic species is intentionally released into an area. It is now considered a last resort effort to control a destructive invader by introducing its natural predator. The cliche goes "two wrongs don't make a right", but nobody was thinking that clearly when the mongoose was introduced to Hawaii. Rats became rampant when the islands were originally discovered, as there are no native snakes or other rat predators in Hawaii. To tackle this problem, the mongoose was introduced... but rats come out primarily at night, and the mongoose is a diurnal day hunter... anyone else see the problem? So now essentially Hawaii has both a rat issue <em>and</em> a mongoose dilemma. Nice.<br />
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Back to the lionfish. These fish are commonly thought to be poisonous, but the proper term is venomous. Use this adage:<br />
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<strong>"Poison is ingested, Venom is injected"</strong></div>
The lionfish meat is not toxic, and very yummy (personal experience talking). The venom of a lionfish is only found in the spines along the dorsal (back) and ventral (belly/anal) of the fish, meaning those beautiful flowery pectoral fins and tail plumage are harmless (also personal experience). These barbs work on a pressure puncture system, meaning that touching the sides of these needles will not sting. That does NOT mean I suggest trying this out on a live lionfish just for kicks - actually that is a really bad idea. While there have been no reported deaths due to lionfish stings, the venom is still very painful and any lionfish victims should go to the hospital for treatment. There is always a chance of allergic reaction, so take precautions if tagged.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsUjNF2BMDNtt3sdGVz_2uDNhyphenhyphenk4XKpMLMhORpukqacfr23szbl0MVxh7r1ZJIwOwDQcWebVW0C1MqrKPwdnwVLgpvjR2Lgg2PZcgYbcfkXd-YU6qqbsHsJ9r0CYF70UJxhx_nW8tttQ/s1600/cookbookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsUjNF2BMDNtt3sdGVz_2uDNhyphenhyphenk4XKpMLMhORpukqacfr23szbl0MVxh7r1ZJIwOwDQcWebVW0C1MqrKPwdnwVLgpvjR2Lgg2PZcgYbcfkXd-YU6qqbsHsJ9r0CYF70UJxhx_nW8tttQ/s1600/cookbookcover.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available online & with local vendors</td></tr>
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Researchers with Florida International University, the Loxahatchee River District, REEF, and Martin County are just a few of the amazing organizations working in different regions of Florida alone - but they are all tied together and focused on the same goal: lionfish removal from the natural ecosystem. These Lionfish Derbies are working hard to get the word out the lionfish are edible to humans! Because let's face it, humans have proven themselves to be excellent predators particularly in the oceans.<br />
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This book also includes how to safely clean a lionfish, but there are also tutorial videos out there for free. Instead of providing a long list of great organizations involved in the valiant effort of lionfish removal, instead I shall focus on some of the lionfish biology that is less known and very important to understanding why they have become such a successful example of an invasive species.<br />
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A strong invasive species population breeds early and often. While lionfish are becoming rare in their own native habitats, the explosion of inhabitants locally has also provided a plethora of biological specimens for scientist to study. We have learned that lionfish breed when reaching a length of only 4" for males and 7" for females; considering these relatives of the native scorpionfish can grow to a record length of 18" and have been found all too often in the 15-17" range, that is an opportunity for exponential population growth.<br />
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When the zebra mussel was introduced into the Great Lakes back in the 1980's, the population expanded all the way south to the Gulf of Mexico. This freshwater mussel cannot survive in saltwater, and this natural process is the only factor that truly stopped this invasive filter feeder's progress. A great dynamic map of this migration can be tracked here: <a href="http://www.nationalatlas.gov/dynamic/dyn_zm.html">http://www.nationalatlas.gov/dynamic/dyn_zm.html</a><br />
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Natural barriers are often the deciding factor in the growth and success of an invasive species. The jungle and heat loving iguanas found here will never reach into the states north of the Floridian border. Cold snaps and even rarely freezing temperature put these endothermic animals into shock and they will quite literally fall out of trees from the cold.<br />
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So, lionfish live on saltwater reefs, and surely cannot breach the salinity gap - right? Many estuaries, like the Loxahatchee River and Indian River Lagoon have brackish water that ebbs and flows with tidal influences. This mixture of fresh and saltwater serves as a nursery for countless species in the area, and the further one paddles upstream the lower the salinity. While the salt content in the water decreases, there are also changes to the species found. Very few animals can withstand a full change from fresh to saltwater - snook is one popular local example.<br />
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A friend and associate with FIU, Zack Jud, has been working with the Loxahatchee River District (LRD) to track and study the lionfish population in the Loxahatchee River. One scary development from an environmental standpoint is the discovery that every time the research crew goes further up river as part of the lionfish study and a long term Oyster Restoration Project (more about that study in a future post), lionfish are spotted. The most recent sighting/sampling had researchers on the Loxahatchee shortly after a freshwater spike in the estuary due to rain and Tropical Storm Issac. Lionfish have now been tracked 4 miles upriver into waters with a salinity of 8 ppt (parts per thousand).<br />
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Let me clarify this simple fact: On average, ocean salinty ranges from about 32 - 37 ppt. There can be extreme ranges like the Red Sea (42 ppt) and locations where freshwater and saltwater collide to lower the salinity, creating brackish ecosystems that eventually turn freshwater (0 ppt salinity). As mentioned before, very few animals have the ability to adapt to this severe shift in salinity, so to find healthy lionfish so far upstream is disturbing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifielOqlV-zFfIKM4kbpc_hCWGjPkhN7imSgNr8jFu-PajkLnoKHR2Juf6k_1iylTFHTR3JD9HetJz3dSmogKFLx6joe9Xz6hsi2vTFm5ZLcjRh-yQs30Y0TXPguiZ8Q-fk5wkREnygF0/s1600/Lionfish-oysters-2-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifielOqlV-zFfIKM4kbpc_hCWGjPkhN7imSgNr8jFu-PajkLnoKHR2Juf6k_1iylTFHTR3JD9HetJz3dSmogKFLx6joe9Xz6hsi2vTFm5ZLcjRh-yQs30Y0TXPguiZ8Q-fk5wkREnygF0/s400/Lionfish-oysters-2-300x225.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken in the brackish waters of the Loxahatchee River, on one of the Oyster Restoration Project research sites.</td></tr>
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Courtesy of Zack, here is the abstract from the original publication on the invasion of lionfish in the Loxahatchee River ecosystem:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTioQInl-lD4WY4fVTPAxGFnLlc9zJ-3Wx0lV5q93layhCy42x3Haq832qbsQKqUMSMfikdT4-CZ-YULt4sTa76wBuDV7xw7bOa9s46QHzquhz3N_OfAh0g2G0lupl65Ibh5hCxugPRk/s1600/LionfishABST.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTioQInl-lD4WY4fVTPAxGFnLlc9zJ-3Wx0lV5q93layhCy42x3Haq832qbsQKqUMSMfikdT4-CZ-YULt4sTa76wBuDV7xw7bOa9s46QHzquhz3N_OfAh0g2G0lupl65Ibh5hCxugPRk/s640/LionfishABST.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Their initial discoveries immediately prompted more research, particularly to find out how fast these animals are migrating as a population, if at all. This is the most recent published work in the <em>Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology </em>following up on the lionfish data regularly collected in the same area. Soon to be "Dr." Zack Jud and Dr. Craig Layman authored this particular paper as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneFGM-smjcyRJylaZh6A6c5Ba72uf4WLadN7sw7qoFfwUNBgK53MK-Vx4A-IImDoGlMadYixKzg9Yf2P5e3LPIH06TdY8If571qt8SBWNdUon9ZJD6vu-0veEPFmheTmPyw3fmgWjgWQ/s1600/LionfishABST3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneFGM-smjcyRJylaZh6A6c5Ba72uf4WLadN7sw7qoFfwUNBgK53MK-Vx4A-IImDoGlMadYixKzg9Yf2P5e3LPIH06TdY8If571qt8SBWNdUon9ZJD6vu-0veEPFmheTmPyw3fmgWjgWQ/s640/LionfishABST3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Essentially, individual lionfish don't stray too far from home, showing a fairly strong inclination for "site fidelity". Hey, if there is food here, why move? Makes enough sense. But, going back to the topic of successful breeding, larval lionfish will float in ocean (or in this case river) currents for around 30 days before settling in an area. <em>That</em> fact will quickly compensate for any lack of migration from established individuals and keep the population growing and moving simultaneously - yikes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51Mj8tISdLTeWx2BJwRZnvUqiMJIMNqn5gTHi3qwfaiRQuXmT2aSEDqQoqyi8fFzcp2SkjbqcMLuz4osFWNlXqWdueI2JXKr0EcxIJdkk26Yy-fF0KH29mKbX3kEx8nBxeil4ajCrQhk/s1600/lionfishmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51Mj8tISdLTeWx2BJwRZnvUqiMJIMNqn5gTHi3qwfaiRQuXmT2aSEDqQoqyi8fFzcp2SkjbqcMLuz4osFWNlXqWdueI2JXKr0EcxIJdkk26Yy-fF0KH29mKbX3kEx8nBxeil4ajCrQhk/s400/lionfishmap.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lionfish have since been documented 4 miles upriver.</td></tr>
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So are invasive species a problem? Uh, yeah. How are changes made to stop these earth-bound aliens from taking over? Well, that is where everyone becomes an important part of the eco-puzzle. Three major changes will have a huge positive impact:</div>
<ul>
<li>Stronger regulations and enforcement on customs and international shipments will greatly reduce the introduction of new species. One more reason to buy local!</li>
<li>Pet Trade</li>
<ul>
<li>Do your research before getting any pet. Instead of releasing that invasive animal because you feel bad about not being able to handle it anymore but don't want to kill it, research Pet Amnesty events in your area. Most zoos across the county have at least one pet amnesty day each year. The purpose is to find homes with prepared owners ready and willing to take responsibility for these exotic animals, so Fluffy the pet iguana will still have a good home.</li>
</ul>
<li>Remove invasive species</li>
<ul>
<li>Population culling/sterilization. This means open fishing season on the lionfish in particular.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
I want to address one last issue regarding the lionfish invasion here in south Florida - word of ciguatera fish poisoning in lionfish has come up. First, a little note about ciguatera from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Ciguatera fish poisoning (or ciguatera) is an illness caused by eating fish that contain toxins produced by a marine microalgae called <i> Gambierdiscus toxicus</i>. People who have ciguatera may experience nausea, vomiting, and neurologic symptoms such as tingling fingers or toes. They also may find that cold things feel hot and hot things feel cold. Ciguatera has no cure. Symptoms usually go away in days or weeks but can last for years. People who have ciguatera can be treated for their symptoms."</blockquote>
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this toxin is usually transmitted to human by consuming the following fish:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Marine finfish most commonly implicated in ciguatera fish poisoning include the
groupers, barracudas, snappers, jacks, mackerel, and triggerfish. Many other
species of warm-water fishes harbor ciguatera toxins. The occurrence of toxic
fish is sporadic, and not all fish of a given species or from a given locality
will be toxic.</blockquote>
These top predators essentially are so high up on their food chain, the toxin builds up in their tissues as they consume other animals that have been feeding on the algae blooms. Several articles have inched their way out into the general population, and Zack has actually been awesome enough to research this and provide his professional opinions (see link below). As of right now, the only lionfish found to have the ciguatera toxin in its tissues were in the Caribbean, not U.S. waters - and lionfish show high site fidelity, remember? (Look at how much you have learned today!) The FDA revealed the findings and made them public, as they should. Unless you plan to not eat snapper or grouper anymore as well, there is no scientific reason to shy away from eating local lionfish.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Special thanks to Zack for sharing his work and staying in touch!</div>
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Keep up with Zack's research directly on The Abaco Scientist Blog: <a href="http://absci.fiu.edu/?p=3330">http://absci.fiu.edu/?p=3330</a><br />
This site is updated regularly with the latest news by the ultimate experts on our local lionfish epidemic. Photos and video clips are also included with many of the posts as well. I can certainly recommend contacting these guys with any questions, comments, or sightings because unlike many brilliant scientists I have met, they are not only very knowledgeable but also friendly and approachable too.<br />
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To check out the lionfish cookbook or order online, visit: <a href="http://www.reef.org/">www.reef.org</a> <br />
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For information on the how the government defines and addresses invasive species, follow this link: <a href="http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/laws/execorder.shtml">http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/laws/execorder.shtml</a><br />
Definitions of many terms were taken directly from this government website to ensure accuracy.<br />
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To find out more about <em>Super Why</em> episodes: <a href="http://pbskids.org/superwhy/#/superstuff/features">http://pbskids.org/superwhy/#/superstuff/features</a><br />
To learn about or get involved with the Girl Scouts of America's WOW program: <a href="http://www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_planet/brownie.asp">http://www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_planet/brownie.asp</a><br />
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All photos were either taken by yours truly, or provided by Zack Jud and Dr. Craig Layman and their research team. Thanks again!<br />
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<em>If you are interested in joining a lionfish derby, just post a comment on where you would like to participate and I will be happy to respond with the closest organization and event to your area.</em></div>
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I am extremely lucky to have worked with so many wonderful individuals on the cutting edge of research and conservation efforts. It even inspired me to return to school myself for a Master's degree and to conduct some research of my own again too. Thanks, everybody!<br />
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-Callie SharkeyCallie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-51453703846988527372012-09-15T11:18:00.002-04:002012-09-15T17:11:42.441-04:00SUP-tastic Day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mVijxKjJAW0LQB6c0DiW9g4ufPXbgyL62HyjsKA-Bfz22np2Jdgn4cDCenhzS6PZke-NvFrNR2cp7nBIPDmybF4h_dDhjPNyjUPBkIm9f13kEaUc0LPhKZzM3QgsaIcovqiFEK8lOZ8/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mVijxKjJAW0LQB6c0DiW9g4ufPXbgyL62HyjsKA-Bfz22np2Jdgn4cDCenhzS6PZke-NvFrNR2cp7nBIPDmybF4h_dDhjPNyjUPBkIm9f13kEaUc0LPhKZzM3QgsaIcovqiFEK8lOZ8/s640/IMG_0138.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behold: 5 rookies in this photo (and that isn't the entire crew!)</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So... How much SUP if you could go SUP would you SUP if you could just SUP?</span></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKedkwU7hkT89dw25bzsP6OJjYSPW16xoOGMXuFJFQS7YPmxJu5X5F48PQhmEVKhnCdgKtzTBWD7EJBe2y541UwDheJdObRUNaDEB97Rr3F4TZkk_E-TZvKGwWhK-RGh41qAngdz1T0Qo/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKedkwU7hkT89dw25bzsP6OJjYSPW16xoOGMXuFJFQS7YPmxJu5X5F48PQhmEVKhnCdgKtzTBWD7EJBe2y541UwDheJdObRUNaDEB97Rr3F4TZkk_E-TZvKGwWhK-RGh41qAngdz1T0Qo/s400/IMG_0108.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Chris demonstrates, everyone started to paddle out on their knees but were soon standing like veterans</td></tr>
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ANSWER: Well, lots. This time we took out a pack of rookies to tackle Stand Up Paddle boarding for the first time. From 3 to 43 years old, from Oklahoma to Ohio, our group was ready to rock on fantastically flat water. One piece of advice: in the height of summer, when you know that 7 boards are needed, be sure to make a reservation! The crew at Jupiter Point Paddling was wonderfully accommodating even with 30 campers on site and life jackets everywhere, but were also very glad that I had taken the time to let them know in advance.<br />
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The weather was beyond amazing during an especially hot summer. Slathered in sunscreen and wearing polarized sunglasses, we set out as a group with 7 SUPs - two of them bearing kids on the nose. Jacen (3) is old hat with this now, but his 8 yr old cousin was excited to be out on the water for the first time. The weather and tide were so forgiving, she even braved standing up all by herself. Jace was so inspired, that he decided to stand up by himself too (pictured in background)!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij61yL4fYpy43YKyvGEkK6Jf0ce5pbZwgah-XpKtRCak8bILDJboQGLGblcg0T7TwfaBA4Qy4lJFO6qVuySKXxt74wZz8LGpuFsutz6s6s4c0BcpC-FtdcwzH-NN3fL-X_k99Qt9aZ354/s1600/bigfamilySUP+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij61yL4fYpy43YKyvGEkK6Jf0ce5pbZwgah-XpKtRCak8bILDJboQGLGblcg0T7TwfaBA4Qy4lJFO6qVuySKXxt74wZz8LGpuFsutz6s6s4c0BcpC-FtdcwzH-NN3fL-X_k99Qt9aZ354/s400/bigfamilySUP+%252814%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way to go, little Mak!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JgcTsZiZHYrcpBE_7MDs6TCwQNWg45789o-aqyfmHiQP-erdOZyJNeIlkWk7Zh0xtznUYZrKCPJQ0mLRxYcuENH-VyN6Xt76s6P5BUGE2YbB6i32bgizGFAVcMwdXCDhnjgI8upsJ7c/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JgcTsZiZHYrcpBE_7MDs6TCwQNWg45789o-aqyfmHiQP-erdOZyJNeIlkWk7Zh0xtznUYZrKCPJQ0mLRxYcuENH-VyN6Xt76s6P5BUGE2YbB6i32bgizGFAVcMwdXCDhnjgI8upsJ7c/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" width="320" /></a>A short paddle out to the sand bar, and the entire crew stopped to check out some of the local wildlife. Chris has a shell-covered sea urchin (pictured), but we also found live conch, huge sea cucumbers, and tons of fish.<br />
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The clip below definitely shows off the beautifully flat water and extremely low tide that morning. Most of our group was chilling out on the infamous sand bar, while my toddler is chasing down his dad. Jacen's biggest hero is rarely allowed out of sight anytime we go on an adventure, because Daddy is always up to something fun.<br />
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Stand Up Paddle boarding is quickly becoming a hot new past time around the world. A recent article in <em>Outside</em> magazine<em> </em>(Sept 2012, pg. 34) breaks down the rising conflicts between SUP users and surfers (more on that in the future). It made me realize that while I am part of this new beginner trend, we choose to play on inland waters for our SUP adventures right now - especially with a toddler in tow. While I cannot wait to try open water paddle boarding for myself, I still believe that when going out for the first time keeping to the mangroves and natural areas is the best idea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZbHU6CyWagF5YrAPrAvudqTcK1oiJU2O9DHaRlPvfLnU7lLqBvZLhXd8eUxUU-tHo0YplrxGf94PB-C57UCGb4rwrhTbY7Q9LYwvQU3_khi0nIB55sSpBYeKcwbL52GOIcsFoJuyw_o/s1600/bigfamilySUP+%252826%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZbHU6CyWagF5YrAPrAvudqTcK1oiJU2O9DHaRlPvfLnU7lLqBvZLhXd8eUxUU-tHo0YplrxGf94PB-C57UCGb4rwrhTbY7Q9LYwvQU3_khi0nIB55sSpBYeKcwbL52GOIcsFoJuyw_o/s400/bigfamilySUP+%252826%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Stephen, already standing up like pros.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItpmMCkEVSWhn4MNLb_4KvaNH_lHrkEAKWjoasIfsAetCYJyk2BZLOL42f1PGd9RHJOJRdiG80OylF_cVJIaSYxDqGOSxPv2CCH5E3NhXu2Irncv91jJYbsSQxgCZUX3SQupf-LHsQcI/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItpmMCkEVSWhn4MNLb_4KvaNH_lHrkEAKWjoasIfsAetCYJyk2BZLOL42f1PGd9RHJOJRdiG80OylF_cVJIaSYxDqGOSxPv2CCH5E3NhXu2Irncv91jJYbsSQxgCZUX3SQupf-LHsQcI/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a dip</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_UqARRjtXTB-1uUcZFLimzeX2T9mJvQUST9AEK74jfViD3PnRHd_kj0RIWb_eRCNn59KarP2DhfCL448j7OQHbcldpJMVB2V0CH2AWOOQtoUwqMtDd1BO4gmLHRCUiMUpMd8n8vX8M4/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_UqARRjtXTB-1uUcZFLimzeX2T9mJvQUST9AEK74jfViD3PnRHd_kj0RIWb_eRCNn59KarP2DhfCL448j7OQHbcldpJMVB2V0CH2AWOOQtoUwqMtDd1BO4gmLHRCUiMUpMd8n8vX8M4/s320/IMG_0129.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talk about shallow water!</td></tr>
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One of the highlights this particular outing included a first for our little section of family too - our first MANATEE! Normally manatees travel in packs, but this easy going gal appeared to be all alone. I spotted a large, dark shadow moving towards my two oldest nephews and shouted for them to keep an eye out. She meandered straight into our group of 7 SUPs and everyone stopped paddling immediately. We all wanted a chance to see the endangered animal without harassing her, and she made it easy by literally wandering up to basically everyone in turn. This 5 minute interaction was my husband's first wild manatee sighting, and my first non-injured wild manatee. Jacen was just in awe. My camera actually died about 2 minutes before the manatee appeared, so I have to thank my brother-in-law Todd for taking this shot - and sharing it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLLZ4G6Abu-6a3oARF7ebaIQhJiNskmZvbUQI8BwjTYu4JTVWRC2yiVbBa5qsClhPlSsXJHwJZsROpXH37HOSVLX5_8FTbGXqu8kZ9rLpYmZVVc3ofxqqPN9cI6W-otNblR5VbO9faXA/s1600/bigfamilySUP+%252820%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLLZ4G6Abu-6a3oARF7ebaIQhJiNskmZvbUQI8BwjTYu4JTVWRC2yiVbBa5qsClhPlSsXJHwJZsROpXH37HOSVLX5_8FTbGXqu8kZ9rLpYmZVVc3ofxqqPN9cI6W-otNblR5VbO9faXA/s400/bigfamilySUP+%252820%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith & Jacen are on a 12' SUP, so this shows great perspective on just how big sea cows are!</td></tr>
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As our family fun came to an end, we even saw a spotted eagle ray cruising along the grass beds. The water clarity was some of the best we have had all year. Now that school is back in session and water is far less busy during the week, I am already planning a kid-free SUP excursion for the first time.<br />
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If you want this experience for yourself, as always I highly recommend Jupiter Point Paddling. The location and staff are awesome, especially with rookies. You can make reservations by phone, via the website, and even through their Facebook page. This link will take you wherever you want to go:<br />
<a href="http://www.paddleinparadise.com/" target="_blank">http://www.paddleinparadise.com/</a><br />
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This was a great way of sharing our new passion with family, and giving them a fresh experience during their standard Florida vacation week. Even though they travel down each year, trying something new pumps up the fun for everyone!<br />
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Don't forget that family visits are about more than just hanging out during dinner. The next time you are going away to visit family/friends, or they are coming to see you, take the time to plan out some new special adventure for everyone to experience. That is how the best stories, coolest pictures, and most remarkable memories are made.<br />
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-Callie SharkeyCallie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-69050250182234684732012-09-02T17:47:00.002-04:002012-09-02T17:57:04.545-04:00Dolphin Tale - Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvr3hsjh6AjD53lajPnv6P5ntRwbbjqwtehUVzs7xExQJH8GBFFZOMVznEbb2rxFI2-BVz9Eq8nzWa4KxAE3ANnqvJxkIRjMRwpJp7dBhlLuGe77niXgy7JRNZjIckchbc5Q5eZn6v8Y/s1600/Dolphin+Tale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvr3hsjh6AjD53lajPnv6P5ntRwbbjqwtehUVzs7xExQJH8GBFFZOMVznEbb2rxFI2-BVz9Eq8nzWa4KxAE3ANnqvJxkIRjMRwpJp7dBhlLuGe77niXgy7JRNZjIckchbc5Q5eZn6v8Y/s400/Dolphin+Tale.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
The dolphin that this particular tale is all about is Winter, and she was originally rescued in December of 2006. The theatrical version of this story was released as <em>Dolphin Tale</em> in September 2011, and I was in absolutely no mood to see it - ever. Why? Because I had been "Free Willy"-ed about, what, 6 times now? The first of that series was inspirational and captured my attention fully; I even purchased the sound track with my allowance money. But just like anything that really attracts my attention, it also prompted me to start digging. The more I learned about the history of killer whales and other marine mammals in captivity, the frustrations with regulations in the U.S. over the years, and the tragic circumstances still happening in other parts of the world (see <em>The Cove</em> post in this blog's archives: 6/20/10), the more I became personally jaded with the storyline.<br />
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So, I steered clear of this movie for fear of wasting precious hours only to be disappointed until a colleague - perhaps the most cynical friend I have, to be quite honest - walked in one morning stating she had watched a surprisingly good movie. Yup, <em>Dolphin Tale</em>. Once the initial shock wore off, I set out to watch this film and decide for myself. Between the boundless energy of my 3 year old, the rotating schedule of my firefighter husband, and oh yeah, FOOTBALL!, it took me 3 days to watch this movie in its entirety. Considering I had previously decided this film was going to be a total waste, it speaks very highly of this story and its characters as to my determination to finish it. I was genuinely engrossed and couldn't wait for my son to take a nap so I could continue watching with my full attention. I already knew the basic story of Winter, so that also meant I knew how it ended before even watching the movie trailers. It takes an exceptional cast and perfect storyline execution to keep a skeptic entranced when there is no surprise element to be had!<br />
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RATING: <br />
~~~~1/2 waves (out of 5)<br />
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This, like <em>Soul Surfer</em> is a feel good movie rooted in reality, giving the film even more depth and credibility. Since the main character (besides Winter the dolphin) is an 11 year old boy, it is perfect for kids too. As a parent, I enjoyed the extra love given by Ashely Judd to her role as Sawyer's mother, Lorraine. At one point in the movie she is arguing with her son's summer school teacher:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I am witnessing something a mother, and a teacher, dreams of seeing - a turned-on kid"</blockquote>
Remember when something excited you to the point that it became an obsession, even for a little while? I was insane and all about "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" for years as a kid. I can admit that now, because retro is in, and they have made a comeback along with my Strawberry Shortcake doll. But seriously, let me know if you see Popples anywhere so I can open those old boxes in the attic without shame!<br />
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If you are in to watch this movie, but don't know the story and <em>don't want to know</em>... then stop right here and come back after finishing the flick for yourself. If you want to get the complete scoop, here comes the SPOILER ALERT!!<br />
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<em>Dolphin Tale </em>sports an all star cast: Morgan Freeman, Ashely Judd, Harry Connick, Jr. (even his actual daughter makes a special appearance), Kris Kristoferrson, and two great child actors in Nathan Gamble (<em>Marley and Me, The Mist, Dark Knight</em>) and brand new Cozi Zuehlsdorff (you will definitely see more of this girl in the future). The dolphin in the movie is actually Winter too, prosthetic tail and all.<br />
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This film is available in 3D, and if you are part of the general population probably do not have a 3D television at home. Don't worry, it is not so full of special multi-dimensional effects that it becomes distracting to watch at home or on the computer. According to the Internet Movie Data Base (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564349" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564349</a> ) this movie garners only a 6.7 out of 10 rating. Similar to <em>Soul Surfer</em>, I think this in mainly due to misguided expectations going in; know you are sitting down to watch a feel good movie and just enjoy it! Ebert gets annoyed at the anthropomorphizing of Winter and Sawyer's friendship. Let me rebuttal with a photo taken of my son at age 2 while visiting Sea World in Orlando.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzUqNc8jnb3g8Ioxu1gihlXHMPn5iF7zT3dUD-ZCDx283XCiT5WOfmjZ3G-PvO6RYCNVNqnpqrtcZEWBGrWs_vA0Nf0ZdM8b41fIRapoGLo-VgbV-HcVRdDy7a9fjarZ7WRg1AaUxeRs/s1600/SeaWorld+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzUqNc8jnb3g8Ioxu1gihlXHMPn5iF7zT3dUD-ZCDx283XCiT5WOfmjZ3G-PvO6RYCNVNqnpqrtcZEWBGrWs_vA0Nf0ZdM8b41fIRapoGLo-VgbV-HcVRdDy7a9fjarZ7WRg1AaUxeRs/s400/SeaWorld+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kissing a dolphin through the glass at Sea World</td></tr>
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Complete strangers started taking pictures and the docent stationed there to talk about dolphins was speechless. So there. Their interactions went on for about 3 minutes until the dolphin feeding/talk began and all of them disappeared back to the surface. He was not the only kid down there, and the baby dolphin and Jace were the only two different species interacting at all.<br />
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Back to the film...<br />
Feel free to be inspired by the truth behind the film, and then realize that you can go online and see Winter for yourself, or visit her at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on the west coast of Florida. <br />
<a href="http://www.seewinter.com/" target="_blank">http://www.seewinter.com/</a><br />
The rescue and rehabilitation steps taken in the film are very real from the crab trap to the special sock, and the work with Winter's prosthetic tail has led to progression in human applications as well.<br />
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Of course not every scene and character in the movie is real. Hey, it is still a movie and therefore has an underlying duty to be entertaining. One downer, "Rufus" isn't real... but I have been to enough zoos and aquariums to know that animals like him are definitely based on reality. Unfortunately, the children depicted in this movie are not real, either; but before that completely destroys your opinion of the movie understand that kids are involved in animal rescues all the time. They drag their respective grownups back into facilities to visit the injured animals they helped to save and often gain an experience that influences their behavior toward animals and the environment for the rest of their lives. Nothing impacts a person's outlook like personal interaction and experience.<br />
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Winter was originally rescued by the amazing team at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. This same organization is still at work, and literally saved 5 stranded pilot whales just this past weekend too:<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/01/beached-pilot-whales-florida-fort-pierce_n_1849507.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/01/beached-pilot-whales-florida-fort-pierce_n_1849507.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false</a><br />
To folow the general progress of that story, check out: <a href="http://www.fau.edu/hboi/">http://www.fau.edu/hboi/</a><br />
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To learn more about strandings and working as a volunteer with injured marine wildlife, go back to my archives (May 2011) for details and perspective from my personal experience.<br />
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If you are looking for a positive distraction amongst the mud slinging in the political press and just want to shut off that part of your brain for a little less than 2 hours, I highly recommend this film.<br />
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I'm gonna go watch more of Winter online now. Hm, a field trip across Florida might be in order!<br />
-Callie SharkeyCallie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-36718251759424516642012-08-27T17:32:00.001-04:002012-08-27T17:32:41.542-04:00Water - from a Coconut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vw1YBumPjRzKfpsT3QCsfUwDVovD5HjaJ587kAc8-CSzmwMEG1tTepeLYmV49Ljo5iNuanZgJrsVPBC43JJNjseQ4mDJbieVXwFxot15a3-YXZk2r8DWd42311wPAWzpSPU11heBviI/s1600/coconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vw1YBumPjRzKfpsT3QCsfUwDVovD5HjaJ587kAc8-CSzmwMEG1tTepeLYmV49Ljo5iNuanZgJrsVPBC43JJNjseQ4mDJbieVXwFxot15a3-YXZk2r8DWd42311wPAWzpSPU11heBviI/s1600/coconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vw1YBumPjRzKfpsT3QCsfUwDVovD5HjaJ587kAc8-CSzmwMEG1tTepeLYmV49Ljo5iNuanZgJrsVPBC43JJNjseQ4mDJbieVXwFxot15a3-YXZk2r8DWd42311wPAWzpSPU11heBviI/s320/coconut.jpg" width="320" /></a>Apparently there is another new health craze that I simply stumbled onto based solely on curiosity and cravings a couple of weeks ago - coconut water.<br />
So, water can come from a coconut - yeah, so what? Everyone knows this, right? But to be honest with you I had never tried it until an impromptu and very hot trip to Whole Foods led me to the cool drink section. A huge area was consumed by various sizes, flavors, and brands of coconut water and I figured "Why not? Let's try something new."<br />
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I snagged the Vita Coco(c) coconut water with pineapple - hey, sounded like a pina colada to me! Then I grabbed the ZICO(c) pure coconut water from the "buy 1 get 1 free" pile barricading the aisle to try later. My 3 year old toddler got a kid-focused coconut water with Clifford proudly displayed on the "juice" box by Hansen's Natural Junior Juice in "Very Berry". Who wants to try something new alone, right?<br />
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The main claims about the benefits of coconut water are a boost in electrolytes, potassium (the good stuff in bananas), and it is comparatively lower in sugar than most sport drinks, sodas and even some fruit juices. Go a step farther to hear claims about how this elixir from nature will alleviate kidney stones, hydrate you better than spring water, and even treat conditions ranging from hangovers to cancer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA4PkC39p6aEFuqTPsts7JLAbX3QM_LC-rl5watcqSkcLYOOf5XZOHzbVO4kKi-kDnJ_W3_S2Va1PWe16VzIK-iEoLB2AbOka96oRyDr6uSfPnAFAGn3H07Kl6FbSw5EJojq0AK2iIQA/s1600/vitacoco.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA4PkC39p6aEFuqTPsts7JLAbX3QM_LC-rl5watcqSkcLYOOf5XZOHzbVO4kKi-kDnJ_W3_S2Va1PWe16VzIK-iEoLB2AbOka96oRyDr6uSfPnAFAGn3H07Kl6FbSw5EJojq0AK2iIQA/s200/vitacoco.JPG" width="80" /></a></div>
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The drive home was definitely made cooler and more flavorful by my drink of choice. Not only did I enjoy it, I wasn't thirsty after drinking it - many extra fruity or super healthy foods tend to leave one feeling a bit dried out.<br />
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I was looking forward to chilling the extras purchased and adding them to my favorite new vice: at home smoothies. My blender died a few years ago, and having a sleeping toddler will keep anyone away from loud appliances; but my husband discovered the blender free smoothie option at our local grocer and I have been hooked! This summer has been crazy hot across the nation, and a wonderful discovery was the addition of straight up coconut water with smoothie mix instead of juice was a pleasant experiment.<br />
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But the greatest part of this new product was part II, also brought about by my husband. He came home from work with a fresh coconut, right off the tree. We went outside as a family, and he cracked it open with a machete. The coconuts usually seen here in Florida are green and have been recorded causing damage when they fall. This includes hitting cars and people, and many home owners associations require their neighborhood inhabitants keep all palm trees well groomed for safety as much as aesthetics or bugs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWcuHzZunvedL-C9ZtrrPVzW849QBG06oFiIKM96Drvn97TkD9JomZiu8O9WKmtc95PnMiR5IxAMi9XBZvBXoya5PMZbxf9CwVQqsezlur2pGXmzOtMObc4ACN6QessP75WCP2e0LrpI/s1600/coconut_fruits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWcuHzZunvedL-C9ZtrrPVzW849QBG06oFiIKM96Drvn97TkD9JomZiu8O9WKmtc95PnMiR5IxAMi9XBZvBXoya5PMZbxf9CwVQqsezlur2pGXmzOtMObc4ACN6QessP75WCP2e0LrpI/s400/coconut_fruits.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconuts are technically the fruit of the palm tree.</td></tr>
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We held a cup under the coconut once it was split, and collected nearly 20 oz. of clear coconut water. It has a surprisingly sweet with a bit of nutty aftertaste. Next, my husband carved large sections of coconut meat out of the husk and we chewed yummy chunks of raw coconut. Very cool new experience, but it got me thinking... what did I really know about the coconut? Not much - so I decided to do a little bit of research.<br />
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A coconut first develops as a small fruit, and can fatten into the large green coconuts pictured above. These green coconuts contain the most water. Over time the small white tissue on the inside of the coconut, also referred to as the "meat" of the coconut, absorbs the water and fattens this tissue. A mature coconut has a hard brown shell, has absorbed most of the water into the meat, and generally falls off the tree on its own. When the water is gone, a "flower" may form inside the fruit, but leave it too long and mature coconuts will still rot like any other produce. Therefore, I do <em>not</em> suggest cracking open that blackened, slimy coconut that washed up on the beach. Ew.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVn1HgUFrr-4SlHYKmiWbl_PGvnOCLvLdFOU0KhGelLRCe4W6io2iiqE1QC5zb-FVdGPAekPjLoBAuZupeO-X7c7EBjI6OamQ18qFkozA1gOwkFflO1CJSNDTnWPe3ZzoUrddhydLix4U/s1600/The-Life-Cycle-Of-A-Coconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVn1HgUFrr-4SlHYKmiWbl_PGvnOCLvLdFOU0KhGelLRCe4W6io2iiqE1QC5zb-FVdGPAekPjLoBAuZupeO-X7c7EBjI6OamQ18qFkozA1gOwkFflO1CJSNDTnWPe3ZzoUrddhydLix4U/s400/The-Life-Cycle-Of-A-Coconut.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Life Cycle of a Coconut</td></tr>
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As for health effects on humans, I went to my trusty WebMD and gleaned this nutritional info:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYzuq6dfoFAzTXyq0J6Rg7Vmi74UKl7W37jgrZSakQXISFlp5vySrT_MLcBoE6ekSXMwx1hvDjVb7mgfY09lC_ISVyKMMStj_svLOHg1C8puuRjsxrk2lijvcWcdavx6dvC98tRbhiTw/s1600/zico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYzuq6dfoFAzTXyq0J6Rg7Vmi74UKl7W37jgrZSakQXISFlp5vySrT_MLcBoE6ekSXMwx1hvDjVb7mgfY09lC_ISVyKMMStj_svLOHg1C8puuRjsxrk2lijvcWcdavx6dvC98tRbhiTw/s200/zico.jpg" width="103" /></a>It has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium than a sports drink. Ounce per ounce, most unflavored coconut water contains 5.45 calories, 1.3 grams sugar, 61 milligrams (mg) of potassium, and 5.45 mg of sodium compared to Gatorade, which has 6.25 calories, 1.75 grams of sugar, 3.75 mg of potassium, and 13.75 mg of sodium.</blockquote>
The fact is, natural stuff is often the best for your health. Eating local produce and honey has been proven to boost immune health and have a lower carbon footprint. Exploring the local options for fruits, and shopping for items while in season is always smart, and generally cheaper. Here in Florida, coconuts are plentiful.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGpSf9O_G3orETccwUETZ-Aq-9bnWQq-qHYWoLMYDcAYoWOkG6p4fM0V9NyLB9L4VI39HoYkTMQdrmE5qjWjVV17b3fG1I63O8lK9xJpp-STrtpnpSCwvA-6sUEO_cYXbRQ6_-yW4puQ/s1600/JrJuice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGpSf9O_G3orETccwUETZ-Aq-9bnWQq-qHYWoLMYDcAYoWOkG6p4fM0V9NyLB9L4VI39HoYkTMQdrmE5qjWjVV17b3fG1I63O8lK9xJpp-STrtpnpSCwvA-6sUEO_cYXbRQ6_-yW4puQ/s200/JrJuice.JPG" width="197" /></a><br />
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For flavors and more about the products I tried visit the company sites:<br />
<a href="http://vitacoco.com/">http://vitacoco.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://zico.com/">http://zico.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hansens.com/us/en/products/juice/junior-juice/very-berry/">http://www.hansens.com/us/en/products/juice/junior-juice/very-berry/</a><br />
For the cool life cycle photo, check out: <a href="http://www.onlinegardenertips.com/fruit-gardening/coconut/The-Life-Cycle-Of-A-Coconut.html">http://www.onlinegardenertips.com/fruit-gardening/coconut/The-Life-Cycle-Of-A-Coconut.html</a><br />
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As a kid, we were all forced to taste new things. There is no reason, as an adult, to stop trying new flavors and textures - especially since you don't have to finish anything you don't like!<br />
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-Callie<br />
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Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-53615259460293530352012-08-20T16:02:00.000-04:002012-08-20T16:03:25.546-04:00Local Research: Green Sea Turtles 101<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9w2u5rp9fZjZW1qdj7RjVxFfbSZarO2LB5K-bH0x4TDFXfy1o_twn1dmF0SDvmsbTCS2N630eXeIGl095K6HkyxJlUOMMmjezjKJEimXAJR5QpI_5cHxM2wFTZPj4qg6gjGLQSID_cY/s1600/green+turtle+swimming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9w2u5rp9fZjZW1qdj7RjVxFfbSZarO2LB5K-bH0x4TDFXfy1o_twn1dmF0SDvmsbTCS2N630eXeIGl095K6HkyxJlUOMMmjezjKJEimXAJR5QpI_5cHxM2wFTZPj4qg6gjGLQSID_cY/s640/green+turtle+swimming.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Kirsten Jones - beautiful shot taken in Boca Raton, FL</td></tr>
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Many moons ago, a professor referred to the anemone as "charismatic macro fauna". He was, and still is, a marine plant and algae guy. Some animals are definitely more attractive to the general population of humans just as some species have a bad rap and strike fear in others. I have close friends who freeze at the sight of a spider or snake, even if it is just a still photo or on television. I have family members who do not venture into the ocean for fear of sharks (making my married last name even more ironic!) or jellyfish. There are also good friends in my circle who literally breed reptiles of all sizes, so I like to think of myself as being well rounded in my love/hate relationships with animal species.</div>
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<em> ...Except</em> for scorpions. </div>
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...Not cool with scorpions.</div>
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Sea turtles are certainly one of those creatures who have the "charisma" stated by my former instructor. Today enjoy some background into the world of one particular sea turtle species. This post does not give all the general information on sea turtles, their life cycles, and information of that sort. I have decided today to be specific and give those who may already have a love for the marine turtle some knowledge that goes a little deeper. Plus, at the end enjoy a BONUS! I received such wonderful feedback about Jellyfish 101 and Evan Orellana's paper, that this time my friend and colleague Cody Mott has agreed to share some of his turtle research with us. Enjoy!</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Green Sea Turtles 101:</span></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5pqsGT9yvP329dp9HJhlsJdvhV5bk7b_kguux2c-do0Nx8QHXnv-gYMIZkQOOxqmVSMSe6PGH7i98tJ5jTR63NVIWo_EiWQy_72QENdHflT03liI5k_Knd2aKrZvUCguAKclRIqNuro/s1600/green+hatchling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5pqsGT9yvP329dp9HJhlsJdvhV5bk7b_kguux2c-do0Nx8QHXnv-gYMIZkQOOxqmVSMSe6PGH7i98tJ5jTR63NVIWo_EiWQy_72QENdHflT03liI5k_Knd2aKrZvUCguAKclRIqNuro/s320/green+hatchling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, little green turtle!</td></tr>
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General consensus in the scientific community is there are seven different species of sea turtles: The Loggerhead, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Kemp's Ridley, Olive Ridley, Australian Flatback, and the Green. There is one noted sub-species to the Green known as the "Black" sea turtle if you really want to get technical.<br />
Most of those species are found in Florida waters at some point in their life cycle, and today the focus is one particular species - the green sea turtle (<em>Chelonia mydas</em>). Greens nest here in Florida, and are also found in local waters as juveniles, feeding on plants and grasses. There is even a species known as "turtle grass" (<em>Thalassia testudinum</em>). This last fact is especially cool when you look at the classification of the sea turtle:<br />
Kingdom - Animalia (animals)<br />
Phylum - Chordata (vertebrates)<br />
Order - <strong>Testudines</strong><br />
So, the plant is quite literally named after turtles - even in Latin!<br />
<strong>Why are they called "green" turtles?</strong> Especially as adults, green sea turtles are vegetarians, and just like a flamingo turns pink from eating shrimp, the body fat of these turtles is tinged green from all the plant consumption. Cool. Ew. No... Cool.<br />
<br /><strong>Where do they nest?</strong> Green sea turtles are found all over the world, partly in fact due to their migration routes that expand for tens of thousands of miles. The "long road home" takes on a whole new meaning as this species, along with all other marine turtles, swim back after nearly 30 years to the original beach of their birth. Florida happens to be a nesting hot spot and considering this species has had some serious downs (endangered status) along with great research and conservation efforts, nesting is back on the rise. While an individual turtles may nest as many as 5 times in one season, that takes such a toll on the animal that she doesn't return to the beach the following year. That means a bi-annual pattern of high and low nesting seasons for greens has developed. Plus, with that really long swim mentioned earlier, just trying to get back every single year to nest would be extremely difficult.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4_adNrQGaNDrfehfZf5YLTrXLA8FZUyhSuJFPamCaodS65aL4TjvOmpVP6ZsaRpcmXsCeXWyN7pbpMeNl1oXa1xam0CPGS59Hf3GlORgAAktdj1epy-k0zk_HIbXS7a7kz7VZyt_21g/s1600/green+track.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4_adNrQGaNDrfehfZf5YLTrXLA8FZUyhSuJFPamCaodS65aL4TjvOmpVP6ZsaRpcmXsCeXWyN7pbpMeNl1oXa1xam0CPGS59Hf3GlORgAAktdj1epy-k0zk_HIbXS7a7kz7VZyt_21g/s320/green+track.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green turtle track with a distinct tail drag down the middle</td></tr>
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These ladies seem make HUGE nests with deep body pits, and often work their way well into the dune vegetation. A variety of theories are out there as to why this occurs, including that turtle-momma might be nesting as far from the high tide line as possible to avoid her nest washing away during its 60+ day incubation. Here in Florida, though, when up in the dune vegetation beware of FIRE ANTS. These invasive insects have been regularly documented killing hatchlings (baby turtles) by swarming nests.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fLWkJaFhY5bawr7JrJiNScr6ZQn8BX4yuZMg5Vw59uSwCoPR-yei26zDxQek87aZbxZZ0dFR9Xjj5cS9AfY1XcB8mGgYl5CUWBcLITeMH8QJT9KAG4dhgR_HDlh56duPZHVaOOXBaI4/s1600/green+nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fLWkJaFhY5bawr7JrJiNScr6ZQn8BX4yuZMg5Vw59uSwCoPR-yei26zDxQek87aZbxZZ0dFR9Xjj5cS9AfY1XcB8mGgYl5CUWBcLITeMH8QJT9KAG4dhgR_HDlh56duPZHVaOOXBaI4/s400/green+nest.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big turtle = BIG PIT</td></tr>
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During my years of nesting surveys, I found green turtles occasionally spend so much time nesting (digging, laying eggs, and covering the evidence) that they were still on the beach after dawn. This also led to me learning exactly how far those flippers actually spray sand while covering their nest. I stood behind the lovely female below only to be knocked over by the sand blast!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXy6oiMaAeIbgMaebgN93PeBdYKN68Sfcbnf5a8d3ElHT0HVn-V7lOtdfzbq8MI4FrUYmEIGN7xutohoAdcXyGSIMYwvSSJZHeBB-nbHkNnbBDTSp6COeE3xoZX3kJnw-rFseSUd4r8Q/s1600/green+am+to+water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXy6oiMaAeIbgMaebgN93PeBdYKN68Sfcbnf5a8d3ElHT0HVn-V7lOtdfzbq8MI4FrUYmEIGN7xutohoAdcXyGSIMYwvSSJZHeBB-nbHkNnbBDTSp6COeE3xoZX3kJnw-rFseSUd4r8Q/s400/green+am+to+water.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3 stakes in front of this turtle mark a loggerhead nest laid that same night. The tracks from that nest are still visible.</td></tr>
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Similar to loggerheads and hawksbills, green turtle eggs are roughly the size of a ping pong ball. Green nests are usually larger though, which makes sense as this is a much larger species of turtle. The average green turtle nest has 120 - 150 eggs, with my personal highest count being 174 eggs in one nest.<br />
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<strong>How big do greens get? </strong>This particular species of turtle can easily grow anywhere from 250 - 400 lbs (110 - 190kg) on average. The largest green turtle documented was 5' long and 870 lbs.<br />
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<br /><strong>How to identify a green from another species</strong>: Green sea turtles are distinct in a few ways. When looking head-on, there is only one pair (i.e. 2 total) scales between the eyes. Most turtle species have two pair in that location.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bO0iMaKEorTMp6C424rD5Kx9UCmD6r9fFOspSFn67k_-AM4ShIF7uj_haR5uk4fLlV5LW0n0AQT0wrPfpTv7WQJZJiaCYpEAgckdL1Mjq7Voe8czQpm0NdkyJ-p_dFANz3VDDj9hVBM/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bO0iMaKEorTMp6C424rD5Kx9UCmD6r9fFOspSFn67k_-AM4ShIF7uj_haR5uk4fLlV5LW0n0AQT0wrPfpTv7WQJZJiaCYpEAgckdL1Mjq7Voe8czQpm0NdkyJ-p_dFANz3VDDj9hVBM/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2 Pre-frontal scales between the eyes are unique to green sea turtles</td></tr>
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When looking at the carapace, or top shell, greens have four scutes on each side, and five down the middle. Their shells may vary in color from green to yellow. Their shells are usually clean, especially compared to loggerhead turtles; they are even documented on reefs at "cleaning stations" where fish or other symbiotic critters come out to help keep the turtle looking shiny. Picture the "car wash" in the movie <em>A Shark's Tale</em> and you will get the basic, albeit far more musical, concept.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5lGIzj-Z9JFiJKh5esY2D40eC_sOV1K59GCHgUQT8kNpXTN4t4P7BnQKjipuy-9hYzwec_Ugnyv9CEaeJpS1OGBxvvN6AQdq8j-wKHNv9P2zfGUq-QemMbM80xlgqDvXn5U0JxU-kys/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5lGIzj-Z9JFiJKh5esY2D40eC_sOV1K59GCHgUQT8kNpXTN4t4P7BnQKjipuy-9hYzwec_Ugnyv9CEaeJpS1OGBxvvN6AQdq8j-wKHNv9P2zfGUq-QemMbM80xlgqDvXn5U0JxU-kys/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Green Turtle - Carapace View</td></tr>
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Green sea turtles are on the rise, but were once a critically endangered species here and in other parts of the world. Why? Think about it... this animal is <em>named</em> after the color of its <em>meat</em>. That would be like referring to cows as "red" cattle. Humans ate them, and in some areas and cultures still do. The Cayman Turtle Farm in the Cayman Islands participates both in research and restaurants. Sea turtles are a part of the lifestyle there; while I have never (and doubt I ever could) eaten turtle of any kind, I do have to slow down and understand that my culture is not the same for everyone. I do eat meat. Some humans have chosen a life as a vegetarian or even gone a step further as purist vegan. No judgement, except on to-fur-key. If you have never heard of it, good for you. Sorry, vegans. But I digress...<br />
Turtle canneries went out of business long before sea turtles were added to the endangered species list in 1978. This was due to overfishing practices. Research and conservation efforts have been in full swing almost ever since. The point is humans should take responsibility and always tackle feeding our race while keeping sustainability in mind.<br />
Ouch! (I just twisted my ankle jumping off the soap box)<br />
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If there is some burning question you have about greens or any sea turtle species, feel free to ask! I'll be happy to share what I know as fact, or else I will find the right answer for you!<br />
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<strong>BONUS ROUND!</strong></div>
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I consider myself lucky to have acquired many wonderful friends and colleagues over the years, and Cody Mott is no exception. I have the honor of bragging that I knew him before completing his Bachelor's and Master's degrees, before his work at Inwater Research, and now even before his marriage to another awesome friend- Rebecca. Cody's Master's thesis focused on one behavioral aspect of the green sea turtle. While all sea turtles must orient themselves to reach the ocean as hatchlings, animals with large migration routes must also be capable of finding their way through a multitude of habitats without getting lost. Cody worked closely with one aspect of green turtles and their ability to find direction using the sun as a compass. Many of the behavioral studies on sea turtles focuses on the green. This is because the general consensus among those working with marine turtles on a regular basis is that the green is the most intelligent among the lot. They are usually the ones trained first in captive settings and personally, I find them the prettiest (sorry, hawksbills). I am also aware that the last fact is completely unrelated, but thought you should know anyway!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5UsbxxzKnUA_TKyxQKbdv3_ToqTCrrpHAOkjuGLL5cxU9gnnH_BIKh6cYD7We00-2nHopS-FGVfw8WsHpyndloB-mLMjCHNWk5lPZcWm2yYkGNTq2impKuSV8qJYNPuykyiSwsU-KAU/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5UsbxxzKnUA_TKyxQKbdv3_ToqTCrrpHAOkjuGLL5cxU9gnnH_BIKh6cYD7We00-2nHopS-FGVfw8WsHpyndloB-mLMjCHNWk5lPZcWm2yYkGNTq2impKuSV8qJYNPuykyiSwsU-KAU/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't those eyes look intelligent to you?</td></tr>
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</span></span><em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Sun Compass Orientation in Juvenile Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas)</span></strong></em><br />
CODY R. MOTT and MICHAEL SALMON<br />
Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 USA<br />
[<a href="mailto:codyrmott@hotmail.com">codyrmott@hotmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:salmon@fau.edu">salmon@fau.edu</a>]<br />
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<strong>ABSTRACT. – Juvenile green turtles occupy home ranges on shallow reefs that parallel the</strong><br />
<strong>southeastern coast of Florida. When disturbed, the turtles often flee eastward toward deeper water. We captured turtles at night and recorded their orientation during the next 2 days while they swam tethered inside a large circular outdoor pool and were exposed to the sun. The turtles from 2 reef sites were significantly oriented eastward. After 7–10 days of exposure to a laboratory photocycle advanced by 7 hours, turtles tested in the same pool were significantly oriented westward, the predicted direction if they used the sun for orientation. Westward orientation was unaffected by placing either disc magnets or brass discs of identical mass above the turtles’ heads. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that orientation under clear skies is preferentially based upon solar cues. However, control turtles exposed for 7–10 days to a photocycle advanced by 1 hour were also expected to swim generally eastward, but, for unknown reasons, failed to show significant orientation. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that the sun is used as a compass, but additional experiments will be required to provide definitive evidence.</strong></div>
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To learn more about Cody's research, or to acquire the complete paper, contact him directly or contact myself through this blog and I will be happy to help. He now works with a fantastic organization called Inwater Research Group. To learn more about their (and Cody's) current work, check out the website: <a href="http://www.inwater.org/" target="_blank">http://www.inwater.org</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For general facts about sea turtles, to learn more about the conservation and research going on throughout the entire world, I highly recommend the following sites:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.seaturtle.org/">http://www.seaturtle.org/</a> </span><span style="font-size: small;">or </span><a href="http://www.conserveturtles.org/"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.conserveturtles.org/</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> The latter was formerly the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and is most useful when looking into research done in that region of the world. I hope this post has helped you get to know and love one of my favorite species just a little bit more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just keep swimming!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-Callie Sharkey</span></span></span>Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-50340903277098623332012-08-12T19:41:00.000-04:002012-08-12T19:41:00.184-04:00Aquatic Patriotism - Celebrating the Olympics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our country's celebration of Independence Day has passed by with millions of dollars in hot dogs and fireworks consumed across this great nation and I burst with pride like the fiery explosions in the air when thinking of this amazing country.</div>
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Before I knew it the Olympic trials were underway and my month long obsession with the most respected athletic competition in the world began anew. I love both seasons, but let's face it - the Summer Olympics has more WATER!! Snow is technically water, yes; but the direct interaction and diversity of water based sports is embodied by warmer climate activities.<br />
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Didn't watch all of it? Don't have the awesome replay abilities that my cable company offers at no charge? Well, my friends, I did not use the word "obsession" lightly. Whatever was missed has been recapped all the way back into the trials themselves. On this last day, with the closing ceremony holding its breath in the corridor (praying for a less disastrous display as it's opening partner - sorry, London, that ceremony was for you and absolutely no one else) and waiting for these moments of greatness to be considered history forever hence, I shall attempt to give you the flash bang of water-based Summer Olympic sports. That means there is no mention of gymnastics or track. Look for the "Onshore Landoholics" type sites for those stats.<br />
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<strong>Brief History:</strong> The first modern Olympics dates back to 1896, but the concept of Nike (Greek Goddess of many things, including Victory) was introduced in 1928 and is still used today. This is London's 3rd time hosting the event (1908, 1948, 2012) which includes 36 sports and 302 events - not including preliminaries and qualifiers. 204 countries. Over 10,000 athletes (well over). The US of A is bringing home 104 total medals, nearly half of which are gold.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eVGy-owN67LkvHsFmH4hhmwiATnefIFglus3yOnOMTzJfekdi2d-oJIp3ApqxXXuM1xoRyKxZdfk43yVljtWiwbGRsggSX9BIWLHZx7WzP5yTfEUYT_L6OGXe7llwIpAZZ6cauPa76k/s1600/2012-olympic-medals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eVGy-owN67LkvHsFmH4hhmwiATnefIFglus3yOnOMTzJfekdi2d-oJIp3ApqxXXuM1xoRyKxZdfk43yVljtWiwbGRsggSX9BIWLHZx7WzP5yTfEUYT_L6OGXe7llwIpAZZ6cauPa76k/s640/2012-olympic-medals.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you still aren't certain, that funky design is "2012" with a wave representing the Thames running through it.</td></tr>
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Here, ladies and gentlemen, are the results you really wanted to know about!<br />
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<strong><u>Beach Volleyball:</u></strong> The US women swept 1st/2nd with Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings winning gold for the 3rd time. Yeah, that is just nuts!! These ladies have been through surgeries and child birth in the past 4 years... and STILL lost only game. That is one game when each match is 2 out of 3. HO-LY COW. Their seriously tough competition came in the form of comrades April Ross and Jennifer Kessy. Impressive, but I think if Kerri teams up with Nicole Brahagn those girls will still be fighting for the top spot. Misty announced her retirement after the big win.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit55SdOh5eq3GIC_cl8_SxoJADeRflhbqK72n_h0MgwvGrd1m_vxWXWRVndx0S9UTIFIJgihyphenhyphenV5ihtDEoikMKkcAZrMj8g4qUenq6fivz6vJJfRQ2jlPVIPkJhJu201Fme7Q2SWULYuI0/s1600/WalshMay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit55SdOh5eq3GIC_cl8_SxoJADeRflhbqK72n_h0MgwvGrd1m_vxWXWRVndx0S9UTIFIJgihyphenhyphenV5ihtDEoikMKkcAZrMj8g4qUenq6fivz6vJJfRQ2jlPVIPkJhJu201Fme7Q2SWULYuI0/s400/WalshMay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, Ladies, that totally just happened - AGAIN</td></tr>
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<strong><u>Canoe Slalom:</u></strong> Okay, you probably don't know a lot about this sport unless you actually play this sport because the US didn't medal at all in any category. There are 4 races in this sport included Olympic competition: Women's Kayak (single), Men's Kayak (single), Men's Canoe single, and Men's Canoe double. Um... we didn't even make it to a final round, so perhaps whitewater should call a little more loudly? I am <em>positive</em> there are some amazing athletes up in the mountains of West Virginia taking on Gauley season everyday, but perhaps they are too far outside of the US Olympic committee's view to be drafted just yet.<br />
For those of you now inspired to break the mold and into this sport, here is how the officials describe the sport: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Canoe Slalom competition will call for speed, control and precision on the daunting white water rapids at the new Lee Valley White Water Centre. Modelled on slalom skiing, the first Canoe Slalom competition was held in Switzerland in 1932. The sport was staged on flat water during its early days, but was later switched to white-water rapids. Since becoming a permanent part of the Olympic programme 20 years ago in Barcelona, the sport has thrilled spectators at the Games with spectacular, non-stop action on the powerful, unforgiving water. </blockquote>
<strong><u>Canoe Sprint:</u></strong> Insert long annoying buzzer sound HERE. I shall admit my own laziness here; with 12 events (4 women's, 8 men's) and digging through half of them to find to US qualifiers, I gave up and realized this is just not our sport... yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgtw9sVNWxhqPMJ0MgVf7PS2NAFj7ddTyrE0jl_0z6reSfC024bjuGkkOVOzotPivCUX9eW3UitqiQVOShxUkfYWtF4NCed1AN_GSObtjnXvuZa0-EPcWpLcpBpsHTdBPie5SGKk1Zo8/s1600/canoeslalomgold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgtw9sVNWxhqPMJ0MgVf7PS2NAFj7ddTyrE0jl_0z6reSfC024bjuGkkOVOzotPivCUX9eW3UitqiQVOShxUkfYWtF4NCed1AN_GSObtjnXvuZa0-EPcWpLcpBpsHTdBPie5SGKk1Zo8/s320/canoeslalomgold.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italy's gold medal winner Daniele Molmenti in the kayak final of the canoe slalom. Talk about white water!</td></tr>
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<strong><u>Diving:</u></strong> The United States came away with 4 medals - 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze. Understand this not currently as US dominant sport, and China is serious about their divers. The Chinese Olympians typically start diving at 4 or 5 years old. Considering my toddler is 3 and currently in Swim School, I honestly cannot imagine having him begin training for Olympic competition starting next year!<br />
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David Boudia took gold with an amazing final dive in the 10m platform competition. In Men's Synchronized 10m platform and 3m springboard, US took bronze. The Women's Synchronized 3m springboard team fought hard for an impressive silver medal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7BwJ-XPOEoUPxcoInBHWip-LJAVubWVh_uo3mQBw8AfCK6nmniRM0mCxJWEMW25lZE38C94-jttWUskeNbD1LlVy4iNVZp9jrYK-8JByLLve_TbY8S323ka90Aw1sL0XB7gKyQQW1iU/s1600/syncdiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7BwJ-XPOEoUPxcoInBHWip-LJAVubWVh_uo3mQBw8AfCK6nmniRM0mCxJWEMW25lZE38C94-jttWUskeNbD1LlVy4iNVZp9jrYK-8JByLLve_TbY8S323ka90Aw1sL0XB7gKyQQW1iU/s400/syncdiving.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelci Bryant and Abigail Johnson - synchronized in flight</td></tr>
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<strong><u>Modern Pentathlon:</u></strong> Well, it includes water for awhile at least. Here ya go:<br />
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At the London 2012 Games Modern Pentathlon celebrates 100 years as part of the Olympic Games. Modern Pentathlon was championed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, and has its origins in a 19th-century legend. The story goes that a young French cavalry officer was sent on horseback to deliver a message. To complete his mission, he had to ride, fence, shoot, swim and run – the five challenges that face competitors in Modern Pentathlon today.<o:p _rdeditor_exists="1"></o:p> </blockquote>
Well, we stank at this too. Moving on...<br />
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<strong><u>Rowing:</u></strong> US medals came in the form of gold in the Women's Eight (8 rowers and a "cox"or "coxswain" yelling out orders from the stern of the boat), a bronze in the Women's Quadruple Sculls, and a bronze medal in the Men's Four. This is the ultimate of team competition as athletes must row in perfect harmony. Think it looks easy? Spend 15 minutes non-stop on a row machine and take notes on how much your body hurts. Then, compare it to how much MORE your body hurts when you wake up the next day. The term "sculling" is often heard in the same circles as rowing, so here is a clear definition: in sculling, each rower has 2 oars. <br />
Sweet and simple and now don't you feel smarter?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6ueZWyQ1GMc6W_sq1mvQH6F49QBPC69r5ZGPhhGCXwI4vwysTJ7lz7Ho6TgBx31bQTM4paD5X4Oa82hxah0P8dWgcgMSKT-Yzwv9Pxj1-h3F8vMlofFKUOch7oe1d29owcLWVXf1SP0/s1600/womens8rowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6ueZWyQ1GMc6W_sq1mvQH6F49QBPC69r5ZGPhhGCXwI4vwysTJ7lz7Ho6TgBx31bQTM4paD5X4Oa82hxah0P8dWgcgMSKT-Yzwv9Pxj1-h3F8vMlofFKUOch7oe1d29owcLWVXf1SP0/s400/womens8rowing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold winning Women's Eight team</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyKYRNndrD7ZbfY2GJLa_V6uXAz0_p0d-m3Ben4JYfrIv_hvvkzmHROjXogSJDEOWS3t-t4nG5CecyI4IuRftxyK_cAMkT0jTR1hYnocuwSGAV7aC0YMu01vlouMOaG2npuCSGfcD9rQ/s1600/NZsculling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyKYRNndrD7ZbfY2GJLa_V6uXAz0_p0d-m3Ben4JYfrIv_hvvkzmHROjXogSJDEOWS3t-t4nG5CecyI4IuRftxyK_cAMkT0jTR1hYnocuwSGAV7aC0YMu01vlouMOaG2npuCSGfcD9rQ/s200/NZsculling.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqdeZ60VXszsLzeHGYSazdLmnx-BMepgSnkJiGI_lFq5XUndHb5Lz44vCvDta4eblb2qh_b1BX9qVqhEWyb8b8TXtV-Qp1zbmVvyF2ecLSM9FmRI7NcdqEWtqEVKG89p6VFToiEChCss/s1600/syncexhaustion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqdeZ60VXszsLzeHGYSazdLmnx-BMepgSnkJiGI_lFq5XUndHb5Lz44vCvDta4eblb2qh_b1BX9qVqhEWyb8b8TXtV-Qp1zbmVvyF2ecLSM9FmRI7NcdqEWtqEVKG89p6VFToiEChCss/s200/syncexhaustion.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand's impressive gold medal team / Synchronized exhaustion after a race</td></tr>
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<u><strong>Sailing:</strong></u><strong><em> </em></strong>6 different sailing competitions is still not enough to help the United States garner a medal. But this a growing pastime among more Americans than only those that inhabit the Hamptons on holiday. It remains something I have never done myself, I am sad to admit - but that is why "bucket lists" exist, right? I think the next step is to allow sailors to dress as pirates and get into full character; then we might really have a crowd gathering for that sport in local waters! Or at least allow cannons during races... <br />
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<strong><u>Swimming:</u></strong> This is by far my favorite to watch from Olympic Trials to Relay Finals. This is one of the United States' strengths and of course, the sport of choice for the great Michael Phelps, the newly found Missy Franklin, studs like Ryan Lochte and record breakers like Dana Vollmer. I chose not to include a million photos you have already seen or go on about the stories that by now you already know. This is simply a list of Olympic Swimming AWESOMENESS in 2012:<br />
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16 Gold: Michael Phelps (100m Butterfly, 200m Individual Medley), Missy Franklin (100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke), Ryan Lochte (400m Individual Medley), Allison Schmitt (200m Freestyle), Adrian Nathan (100m Freestyle), Tyler Clary (200m Backstroke), Matthew Grevers (100m Backstroke), 15-yr old Katie Ledecky (800m Freestyle), Dana Vollmer (100m Butterfly), Rebecca Soni (200m Breaststroke), Women's 4X200m Freestyle Relay, Women's 4X100m Medley Relay, Men's 4 X 200m Freestyle Relay, Men's 4 X 100 Medley Relay<br />
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9 Silver: Cullen Jones (50M Freestyle), Michael Phelps (200m Butterfly), Ryan Lochte (200m Individual Medley), Nick Thoman (100m Backstroke), Allison Schmitt (400m Freestyle), Rebecca Soni (100m Breaststroke), Elizabeth Beisel (400m Individual Medley), Haley Anderson (10km Marathon), Men's 4 X 100m Freestyle Relay<br />
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6 Bronze: Peter VanDerKaay (400m Freestyle), Brendan Hansen (100m Backstroke), Ryan Lochte (200m Backstroke), Elizabeth Beisel (200m Backstroke), Caitlin Leverenz (200m Individual Medley), Women's 4 X 100m Freestyle Relay<br />
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That is 31 medals, folks.<br />
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<strong><u>Synchronized Swimming:</u></strong> While I understand the extreme discipline and hard work that must go into these performances... um, it's not really my gig. I tried, I really did. But since the US didn't have any chance at a medal I chose instead to watch other non-water related competitions.<br />
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<strong><u>Triathlon:</u></strong> One of the fastest growing sports in the world (since SUP has not become an Olympic Sport yet) is the triathlon, which by definition includes swimming, cycling, and running - in that order. So yeah, I watched the beginning and then waited for highlights later. The United States did not win any medals this season. <br />
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<strong><u>Water Polo:</u></strong> A single, shining gold medal for the US Women's polo team for the first time in history. While these female athletes are quite pretty (can't say that for all the female Olympians), I still decided NOT to portray <em>ESPN the Magazine'</em>s version of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47aVZCKZZCVLHPeLPwhsdYjCU_qetYZH_Y3la08ZPMVOLnPJ73D8lJU9IhyphenhyphenbZpZ_RWy7pZ7dGmo3GUqY2paUg-T2FF3fYZU2zr9_k6T5eRHC8-hwTptaNxWtf2KV8wA5uWflg7AkEfPU/s1600/waterpolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47aVZCKZZCVLHPeLPwhsdYjCU_qetYZH_Y3la08ZPMVOLnPJ73D8lJU9IhyphenhyphenbZpZ_RWy7pZ7dGmo3GUqY2paUg-T2FF3fYZU2zr9_k6T5eRHC8-hwTptaNxWtf2KV8wA5uWflg7AkEfPU/s400/waterpolo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice work, Ladies!</td></tr>
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This was an amazing Olympics for the United States, and particularly the women in many more than just water sports. I was also impressed to learn every country this year had at least one woman participating- again, pretty darn cool.<br />
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I am indeed proud of my country, and passionate about being an American citizen. I feel our own athletes and their competitors carried themselves with pride and great character. Sure, some of them are cocky and probably say pretty intense things during competition - but these are, in fact, the greatest athletes in the world and have earned that position out right. Anyone who has competed physically in any sport also knows how driven and wired up one can be, often <em>has</em> to be, in order to win. I try to stay away from tabloids and reality shows and just look at them as athletes representing their country; and I believe they shined and made their country proud. At least they made me proud.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed the games as much as I did! Try not to forget how inspirational it has been while you wait four more years to see them again.<br />
-Callie SharkeyCallie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-64334861522095512862012-08-08T12:47:00.000-04:002012-08-08T12:47:18.828-04:00Soul Surfer - Movie ReviewWhile shark attacks remain rare, and even more rarely fatal, they still grab headlines and <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">SHARK ATTACK!!</span></div>
garners attention like few other lines in print. Whether you fear the ocean or thrive on it, those words will definitely get you reading. Where did it happen? What kind of shark? Tell me about the victim? <em>Did they LIVE? </em>Are all questions that have readers scouring the article until the answers are found.<br />
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Discovery's Shark Week is also just around the corner (begins August 12th) and most likely more sharks will appear in the news around the same time. People are thinking and talking about sharks, so ride the wave - right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rFuFXkh-qyvVRgBsr0Mh0red0u9hBs1d20WSw4DqoanSZtJoQ50NM7S0VGxvUGs00yNFV9TIQjayUOuhEnMIwcgdn5VaW8c3hSPO8-2b5hcvvQAaQ69GfjEi3YqaTvrinMQVzHTy__I/s1600/Soul_Surfer_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rFuFXkh-qyvVRgBsr0Mh0red0u9hBs1d20WSw4DqoanSZtJoQ50NM7S0VGxvUGs00yNFV9TIQjayUOuhEnMIwcgdn5VaW8c3hSPO8-2b5hcvvQAaQ69GfjEi3YqaTvrinMQVzHTy__I/s400/Soul_Surfer_Poster.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
It is easy to find movies that involve sharks, and while my recommendation of <em>Sharktopus</em> (2010 film with Eric Roberts) is reserved for those who love "D" level movies (Bruce Campbell wouldn't be caught dead in this one) and revel in the unrealistic ridiculousness that is a badge of honor for such films, I went outside the box a bit and found <em>Soul Surfer</em>. Of course I already knew the basic story of Bethany Hamilton - a young future professional surfer living in Hawaii; in 2003 she was attacked while surfing and lost an arm, but was driven by her passion to surf again anyway. SPOILER ALERT: In real life, Bethany rises above adversity that few people realize and fewer still conquer. So, duh, yeah - she surfs again.<br />
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I confess, while I loosely followed the young surfer's story from afar I did not read the book published in 2004. I knew it became a movie (2011), but with a toddler don't make it to many films these days and missed it in the theaters altogether. Take a very solid cast that includes an Oscar winner (Helen Hunt), proven actors that have experience in a variety of genres (Dennis Quaid, Craig T. Nelson), a promising starlet in AnnaSophia Robb (<em>Bridge to Terabithia, </em>and many more), toss in American Idol's Carrie Underwood and Kevin Sorbo (yeah, TVs Hercules, same one), and now you have experienced actors ready to work with a heartwarming story.<br />
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That's right - heartwarming and inspirational. The Hamilton family, aside from being avid surfers, also home schooled their kids and were very involved in their local church. This movie is not about sharks, or even really the ocean from a documentary or conservation stand point. It's not even about the shark. This film is about one girl following her passion and overcoming all obstacles to reach one goal - to surf.<br />
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My favorite line of the entire movie was a simple statement Bethany makes to her father as he is carefully explaining how she must work her way down from an 8'+ long board to a ~5' short board in order to be ready for competitive surfing again. The line:<br />
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<strong>"I don't need easy, just possible."</strong></div>
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For non-surfers let me explain: I am terrible surfer. I love it and wish I didn't completely bomb, but I totally stink - and I can still manage my 8'6" long board. The shorter the surfboard, the more experienced the surfer.</div>
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The general consensus on the Internet Movie Database (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/">www.imdb.com</a>) is that <em>Soul Surfer</em> rates about a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. Mediocre at best. This all depends on what you expect from the film. It is not <em>Riding with Giants</em> and all about big waves. It is not a documentary or a horror story. It is an inspirational feel-good movie with great actors and a beautiful backdrop. So don't expect epic breakthroughs or wild love scenes and you will not be disappointed. This is a good movie to watch with young kids, knowing at the end everybody leaves feeling better than when they walked in. If cynical is your general daily attitude, well, then don't expect that to change. No Oscars here, but it is a movie worth watching.</div>
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RATING: ~~~1/2 waves (out of 5)</div>
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After the movie, try to recall what your passion was as a kid/teen, and embrace it again. Then ask the kids around you what their passion currently is, encourage it, and be sincere.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My passion was writing- and the ocean. </div>
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-Callie Sharkey</div>Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221570786237121346.post-34083613598731725302012-08-04T16:09:00.002-04:002012-08-04T16:09:14.768-04:00Professor Clark the Science Shark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwgZbeGD5ZxUviPrUsXtGT116KGFj2tNMYDo3vWImynMhmj2x1J4ka7Wh5M-9dcooSgy5e65Y8urk4Im9rhtCxh5fkSzwYYvbGGodZRYeXocpQcMTPvv9FTLi2x1peiW9YIFFAiA7Nno/s1600/ClarkImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwgZbeGD5ZxUviPrUsXtGT116KGFj2tNMYDo3vWImynMhmj2x1J4ka7Wh5M-9dcooSgy5e65Y8urk4Im9rhtCxh5fkSzwYYvbGGodZRYeXocpQcMTPvv9FTLi2x1peiW9YIFFAiA7Nno/s320/ClarkImage.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Keep yourself busy and cool things will happen. </div>
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A brilliant colleague, Brian LaPointe (a review on one of his lectures about artificial reefs posted on 5/9/2010, so now you have an excuse to scour the archives!), serves as the inspiration for a lovable character surfacing in the new children's book series <em>Professor Clark the Science Shark</em>. I heard about a book signing but missed the opportunity to attend. So, naturally I dropped a line to Brian asking how could I get an autographed copy.<br />
<br />Within a few days my phone rings and the series' author Scott is on the other end, bursting with passion and enthusiasm for his new project. Working with children for a huge portion of my life, including conducting Story Time for a couple thousand people over the past 2 years alone, has shown me how quickly child like excitement transmits to the audience. But it is also easy to burn out when constantly faced with the challenges of teaching children and trying to make the right choices everyday in order to "practice what. So I took the phone call and the opportunity to meet a talented couple and learn about their creation, Clark the Shark, first hand.<br />
<br />I have reviewed books in the past, and had originally planned to do the same thing here after snagging my autographed copy... but plans always change, right? I did meet Scott and Karen Lamberson with my 3 year old son in tow. While he traumatized the office with dancing and race cars, they just smiled and shared the love behind their new endeavor into the world of children's books and ocean conservation. Perhaps what I like most is that the Lambersons are <em>not</em> trained in marine biology or have spent years doing research - they are normal people who simply have a love for the ocean and all its creatures. Sound familiar? Why does anyone get involved in a cause these days? Knowing this is also why so much care was taken by the authors to ensure that the "Fin Facts" in each <em>Professor Clark</em> book are completely accurate. Personally, this last fact is super important to me as an environmental educator. Plus, authors who take the time to research their facts write better stories regardless of the genre or demographic.<br />
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<br />The creators are working with a variety of non-profit organizations as part of the mission to make a difference by inspiring the newest generation. Both COAST Ecology and Shark Savers are already involved, but expect to see more of Professor Clark in the future (I hear from authors Scott and Karen that great things are on the horizon!).<br />
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Basically, yeah, I bought the book for myself. I am looking forward to the next 2 books in the series (which I have already seen - how cool is <em>THAT</em>?!) I highly recommend the series, particularly for kids ages 6 & up. Toddlers will not likely sit and allow you to read each word on every page, but the illustrations are fun for them anyway. I am constantly finding my 3 year old pulling out his copy to flip through the pages and tell me what he sees. Over the next few books, look for unique character development and the chance to meet new creatures with great interactions and an even better message.<br />
Support the local authors in your community - you will find some real treasures I guarantee it!<br />
-Callie Sharkey<br />
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For more information:<br />
<a href="http://coastecology.org/" target="_blank">http://coastecology.org/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sharksavers.org/">http://www.sharksavers.org/</a><br />
The book is available at Barnes & Noble, and online through Professor Clark's website <a href="http://professorclark.com/" target="_blank">http://professorclark.com/</a> and I have learned that special color-yourself t-shirts are soon to follow!Callie Sharkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07987057472284727489noreply@blogger.com0