Record Number of Injured Sea Turtles at South Carolina Aquarium

Twelve patients representing three sea turtle species currently under the expert care of the Sea Turtle Rescue Program

Photo By: Barbara Bergwerf

Charleston, S.C. - December 12, 2008 - The November arrival of four cold stunned sea turtles has broken the 2007 record of 11 patients in the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital at one time. Two green sea turtles and two loggerhead sea turtles were admitted to the hospital after the recent onslaught of cold weather which lead to the major cold-stunning event in North Carolina. Hard shelled sea turtles rely on their surroundings to regulate their body temperature and sudden temperature drops in the waters cause them to become lethargic and immobile. This makes migration to warmer waters, a necessity for their survival, impossible. Over 65 sea turtles suffered cold-stunning and stranded on North Carolina beaches. Despite the Aquarium’s hospital being essentially at capacity, staff responded to the need, working quickly to adjust animal and tank locations in order to provide relief to the inundated North Carolina rehabilitation facilities.

Transported from North Carolina by DuBose Griffin from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the four sea turtles received treatment immediately upon arrival. Dr. Shane Boylan, Aquarium staff veterinarian, admitted the turtles and began slowly warming their core temperatures, providing vitamin and antibiotic injections to prevent pneumonia.

“The new patients are doing well,” said Kelly Thorvalson, Sea Turtle Rescue Program Coordinator. “The greens have been a little slower to respond but all have started to show an interest in food, which is a really good sign. It’s an exciting time to come to work,” remarked Thorvalson. “Every day the Hospital operates, the Aquarium is making a difference far greater than just these twelve - we’re doing our part to help save the species.”

Even with over 14 turtle hospital volunteers, care for the twelve turtles costs over $350 a day, an all-time high for the Aquarium’s hospital, a private non-profit . To help support the Hospital, the Aquarium is offering holiday gifts that will delight any turtle lover, give the opportunity to be a Turtle Hospital Nurse, or share a Turtle Lovers Gift Basket.

Turtle Lovers Gift Basket
Delight the turtle fan in your life with this great gift basket featuring exclusive items including personally autographed copies of New York Times Best-Selling Author Mary Alice Monroe’s books, complimentary general admission for two to the South Carolina Aquarium and two tickets for a private Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital.

Turtle Hospital Nurse
Join the team and get up close to sea turtles at the South Carolina Aquarium’s Turtle Hospital. Help feed and care for the Aquarium’s rescued sea turtle patients at South Carolina’s only dedicated sea turtle rehabilitation facility. This incredible gift
offers a truly memorable opportunity to help endangered and threatened sea turtles recover from critical injuries.
To get an up-close look at all twelve patients, representing three species of sea turtles, the Aquarium is offering exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tours of the Hospital throughout the holidays to all Aquarium visitors. The tours, conducted on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1:00 pm, offer a firsthand look at the efforts of the Aquarium’s team of trained professionals as they care for sick and injured sea turtles each day through the Aquarium’s renowned Sea Turtle Rescue Program. Attendees will meet the Hospital’s current “patients,” and hear about the intensive treatment and daily care that help to nurse the vulnerable turtles back to health. Tickets to the Behind-the-Scenes Tours of the Turtle Hospital can be purchased on-site at Aquarium admissions or by phone: (843) 577-FISH (3474). Advance reservations are recommended. For more information on tickets and prices, please visit: scaquarium.org.

The South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program helps to ensure that sea turtles have a vibrant future in our oceans. When an unhealthy or injured sea turtle is found along the coast, it is brought to the Turtle Hospital by the Department of Natural Resources where staff and volunteers monitor and take care of this threatened animal in the Aquarium’s state-of-the-art facility. The Turtle Hospital is the only dedicated turtle rescue and rehabilitation facility in South Carolina. Thirty-two rehabilitated sea turtles have been successfully released to the wild as a result of the Program. The Turtle Hospital and Sea Turtle Rescue Program, a conservation program of the South Carolina Aquarium, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, is currently caring for 12 sea turtles of three different species.

For more information on the South Carolina Aquarium visit http://www.scaquarium.org/

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First Fridays on Gallery Row - Charleston, SC

January 2, 2009

The Broad Street Merchants Association will continue with hosting its “First Fridays on Broad” on Friday, January 2nd, from 5pm –7 pm. Bring in the New Year by enjoying the boutiques, fine art galleries and bodegas on Gallery Row – Historic Broad Street. Get in the New Years’s spirit and enjoy fine wine and hors d’oeuvres! “This is one of Charleston’s favorite monthly happenings” said Jerry Spencer of the Spencer Galleries. “Customers can relax while receiving individual and personalized attention as they browse the vast array of fine art, sculpture, jewelry, gifts, art pottery, home accessories, and unique fashions on “Gallery Row”. Each doorway on Galllery Row offers you something special to treasure, be it a painting, a gift, or simply a wonderful memory. As you stroll from one gallery to another, enjoy the Southern charms of colorful flower boxes, twinkling white lights, enchanting hidden courtyards and gardens, and pristinely preserved architecture.

Participating merchants include: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, COCO VIVO, Mary Martin Fine Art, UTOPIA , John Carrol Doyl e, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, Oak Steak House, and JAKES.

For information please contact www.Galleryrow.com or for questions, please call Stephanie Hamlet at 843-722-1944.

Home for the Holidays - Summerville, SC

December 12, 2008 6:00 pm

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December 13, 2008 9:00 am

First Federal presents Home for the Holidays at The Ponds. Holiday music and dance performed by local school children, arts and crafts vendors and a marshmallow/hot dog roasting pit will usher in Home for the Holidays. Bring beach chairs or blankets for seating and enjoy a festive evening of holiday cheer in the setting of one of Summerville’s scenic residential communities. This event takes place at the Amphitheatre at the entrance to The Ponds (on the left) on Highway 17A just outside of Summerville. Admission is $5 per car and proceeds will benefit the newest Summerville YMCA facility, scheduled to open in January at The Ponds.
For more information, please call (843) 529-5930 or visit our website at www.discovertheponds.com

From the Forest to the Sea - Myrtle Beach, SC

December 22, 2008
11:00 am	to	12:00 pm

Experience the natural wonders of Myrtle Beach State Park! Come explore the maritime forest, maritime grassland, and the beach habitat. This program will consist of a ¼ mile leisurely stroll. Meet at the Nature Center.
For more information call 843-238-0874 or visit our website at www.myrtlebeachsp.com

The Nutcracker - Charleston, SC

December 12, 2008

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December 14, 2008

Charleston Ballet theatre presents The Nutcracker. It’s Charleston circa 1865 and families are filling the streets and the market of downtown in a last minute rush for gifts and decorations. Young Maria is presented with the gift of a cherished authentic Nutcracker. With a little help from Uncle Drosselmeyer she is transported on a world tour through lands of fantasy beyond her imagination. This Charleston holiday tradition celebrates the magic of the holiday spirit and the kid that remains inside us all.

PERFORMANCES:
Fri. Dec. 12 at 10:00a.m.
Sat. Dec. 13 at 2:00p.m. & 7:30p.m.
Sun. Dec. 14 at 3:00p.m.

VENUE:
Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St.

ADMISSION:
$40-$45/Orchestra/Mezzanine
$30-$35/Balcony
$10 off regular price for children

ORDER TODAY!
Call (843) 723-7334 and visit www.charlestonballet.org

Town of Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade - South Carolina

December 14, 2008

More than 100 floats will march down Coleman Boulevard as the Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade set sails to the delight of thousands of residents and visitors. Immediately following the Fireworks at 5:30 PM, the parade will begin at 5:45 PM at the intersection of Coleman and Pelzer Drive. It will continue past Shem Creek to conclude at the Sea Island Shopping Center around 7:15 PM.

New Year’s Eve Celebration - Myrtle Beach, SC

December 31, 2008

Kick off 2009 in style at our Celebrity Square party, with live remote from Times Square, music & lots of fun!
For more information call 843-444-3200 or visit our website at www.broadwayatthebeach.com

Summerville Christmas Parade 2008 - South Carolina

Who doesn’t love a parade? The 2008 Summerville Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday, December 14 and will begin at about 2 p.m. Summerville Christmas Parade had over 3,000 actual participants and attracted between 15-20,000 spectators in 2007 and will probably exceed those numbers in 2008. It is one of the largest parades in the state of South Carolina and well worth a visit.

The theme for 2008 is “A Main Street Christmas.” Prizes will be awarded by a jury for Best Adherence to Theme, Most Creative, Most Original and Best Overall.

The parade is hosted by the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) and the Summerville Fire Department. (Click here to read our previous post about the Summerville Christmas Parade)

The Charleston Christmas Special - Charleston, SC

December 12, 2008

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December 21, 2008

All new for 2008, “The Charleston Christmas Special” is the lowcountry’s longest running holiday show. This heart-warming two hour musical variety show stars Brad Moranz(star of “Singin’ in the Rain” on
Broadway), Jennifer Moranz(former Radio City Rockette and featured dancer in “42nd St.” on Broadway), Crystal Garrett(Miss S. Carolina 2007), Virginia Reid -a soaring soprano who will perform the Sandi Patty classic “How Great Thou Art”, Celtic fiddler Anna Schaad, Tracy Distefano and Patrick Dodd(recently seen here in Charleston in the highly acclaimed “Broadway Showstoppers”), Robb Coles(fresh from the lead role in “Footloose” at the Broadway Dinner Theatre), Dion Hargrave(currently a CSU student who just auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera), Charleston favorites Dudley Birch and Tiffany Parker, along with dancers Taylor Huggins, Karen Belush, Brooke Caldwell, and Amanda Callison, and featuring a live orchestra onstage under the direction of Tommy Gill.

Tickets go on sale May 12 at etix.com or by calling 843-514-3849. For more information on all three shows, go online to www.bradandjennifermoranz.com, or call 843-416-8453.

Don’t miss the Charleston Christmas Special!

Friday Dec. 12 - 7pm
Sat. Dec. 13 - 2pm and 7pm
Sun. Dec. 14 - 3pm
Mon. Dec. 15 - off
Tues. Dec. 16 - 7pm
Wed. Dec. 17 - 7pm
Thurs Dec. 18 - 7pm
Fri Dec. 19 - 7pm
Sat. Dec. 20 - 2pm and 7pm
Sun. Dec. 21 - 3pm

Pricing Structure per individual show (includes tax and Etix fee)
Adults $31.50
Seniors $28.50
Military Discount $28.50
Groups of 15 or more $25.50
Students w/ID $21.50
Kids 12 and under $19.50

Season Tickets
Adults $29.50
Seniors $26.50
Military Discount $26.50
Groups of 15 or more $23.50
Students w/ID $19.50
Kids 12 and under $17.50

Voices of Christmas Past and Present - Myrtle Beach, SC

December 12, 2008

8:00 pm

Christmas Music and Arrangements of Eric Whitacre, Stephen Paulus and Andrew Fowler.

For more information call 843-444-5774 or viist our website at www.carolinamasterchorale.org

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