BLUE HILL--The Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI) announces a special ocean outreach program at the Parker Ridge Retirement Community in Blue Hill.   A showing of three selections from the highly-acclaimed Blue Planet: Seas of Life series will take place in the retirement community's private dining room on Tuesdays, January 13, 20 and 27 at 4:00 p.m.   A special gift to the McCrum Sea Library at the MERI Center for Marine Studies has made this outreach program possible.  

"The Ocean Video Night program is intended to engage the residents of our coastal community while raising awareness of the diverse threats to the world's oceans and their inhabitants," said Dr. Susan Shaw, MERI's Founder and Executive Director.   "We hope this is the first of several programs that MERI will offer at Parker Ridge this year."   

The first video to be shown, entitled Ocean World , takes a look at the blue whale -- our planet's largest mammal - and the mysteries and complexities of the oceans.   The second video, Frozen Seas , focuses on the hostile Arctic and Antarctic environments and the marine animals trying to survive there.   The third video of the series, Open Ocean , gives viewers the opportunity to explore the ocean's greatest depths and witness the ruthless and beautiful battles between hunter and prey.   Filmed in more than 200 locations over five years, the Blue Planet: Seas of Life series has been praised for its stunning video footage, stirring soundtrack by George Fenton, and moving narration by British actor David Attenborough.   MERI originally presented the eight part series in its entirety at the MERI Center in January of 2003.  

MERI educators will be present at each video session for follow-up discussion with residents.   The video series is free of charge and open to the general public.   In addition to the Parker Ridge program, MERI's regular Ocean Video Night series is being offered at the MERI Center on Main Street in Blue Hill each Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. beginning January 9.