Winter 2024

194 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 ~ THE P EN I NS U L A S C ENE ~ Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Gala Leon Panetta, Ginaia Kelly, Ted Balestreri Photos by Kelli Uldall T he sold-out Sea Star Gala at Tehama raised vital support for marine wildlife protection and education.The annual fundraiser honored five local “Sea Stars,” and included the prestigious Panetta Sea Star Award, presented by Leon Panetta. Emceed by Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley, the event paid tribute to late board member Christina Sandera and celebrated local conservation champions in an evening of elegance and impact. Steve Drottar, Stephanie Schaeffer, with Rosie Shelley DeBoer, Jacob Trainer, Lauren Stroud Gabriel Sanders, Dianne Coward, Pierre & Tori Lecomte StevenWhyte, EllenWilson, Joanne Gimbel Jason & Julie Schnitzer, Craig & Rhonda Vachon Harper Chang, Justin Barrett, Renee Kwan Loretta Lynch, Johan Klehs, Sabrina Lopez Amy & Jason Ivey, Bettye Saxon, Tia Martin, Troy Vincent Danny Bernstein, Leslie Steinway, Shary & Sam Farr Lora Lee Martin, Syda Cogliati, Hilary Bryant, Donna Meyers, Birdie Hunter, Gail Pellerin Lindsay & Kiersten Silver Catherine & Rob Lee Sophia Schwirzke, Catherine Stedman Laura Scherling, Mike Gorback Photos: Kelli Uldall