Dozens of winners, heroes and villains from TV’s SURVIVOR got together at Discovery Cove in Orlando for a day of outwitting, outplaying, outlasting and out-and-out relaxing. The players swam with dolphins and rays and got up-close to the parks exotic animals.

The event was to benefit Give Kids the World, a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.

Images courtesy Discovery Cove

This past weekend, Randy Moss, the wide receiver with the New England Patriots, visited SeaWorld and hung out with a few new friends. I think Sir Winston, the 2,200 lb walrus, is clearly ready for his shot with the NFL.

Photo by Jason Collier/SeaWorld Orlando

Photo by Jason Collier/SeaWorld Orlando

Photo courtesy Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Tampa recently welcomed the arrival of two new baby giraffes! Born to mothers Tesa and Chloe, the two baby boys were born this past April. Visitors to the park got their first look at the newborns this week, as they were introduced to the rest of the giraffes on the Serengeti Plain. The park now has 17 giraffes, which can be seen from the Serengeti Express or on the Serengeti Safari, an open-truck tour of the plain.

Image Courtesy Travel Channel

In other Busch Gardens Tampa news, Travel Channel daredevil Bert the Conqueror recently visited the park to experience its wild rides for his new TV show. First, he rode SheiKra, the floorless steel coaster that drops riders from 200 ft high, down 90-degrees at 70 mph. Then, he experienced Montu, the inverted coaster with 4Gs of force. Away from Tampa, Bert took the plunge and entered Punta Gorda’s belly-flop contest at Mudfest, where he came in second place. The episode aired last night, and can be caught on reruns. For more information on his trip to South Florida, visit his Florida guide.

Image courtesy Travel Channel

The Travel Channel clearly likes Florida, because directly after the episode was a rerun of Adam Richman’s Man vs. Food challenge in sunny Sarasota. There, he tried a foot-long deep fried hot dog at Old Salty Dog and a mouth watering meal of friend chicken and peanut butter cream pie at Yoder’s Amish Restaurant. Richman had his first mystery challenge at  Munchies 420 Cafe where, sadly, food won. Visit the Travel Channel website for his Sarasota guide.

Osceola Magnet Elementary School fourth grade teacher, Cheryl Conley, was just named the 20100 Florida Department of Education Macy’s Teacher of the Year! Conley, an Indian River County resident and educator, was chosen among the five state finalists. She was recognized for her unfaltering dedication to her students, goal-oriented teaching style, and proven ability to inspire students.

As the teacher of the year, Conley will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. With this position, she will visit schools around the state and share information on educational opportunities and challenges in Florida.

The finalists were: Kelly Burnette (Yulee High School, Nassau County), Zachary Champagne (Mandarin Oaks Elementary School, Duval County), Cristine O’Hara (Palmetto Middle School, Miami-Dade County) and Allan Phipps (South Plantation High School, Broward County). Conley, along with the finalists, received a monetary prize, as well as money to be used towards their respective schools’ educational programs.

The Florida Department of Education Macy’s Teacher of the Year award “recognizes and honors the contributions of outstanding classroom teachers who have demonstrated a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all background and abilities.”

For more information, visit www.fldoe.org/profdev/yeartch.asp.

As the summer months continue on, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are teaming up and encouraging students to head outdoors and read. To further promote this initiative, the DOE created a 2010 recommended summer reading list, full of nature-based literature. The reading list is part of the DOE’s Just Read, Florida! mission.

“Reading outdoors is a great way to foster environmental stewardship in Florida’s students,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By promoting literature focused on Florida’s diverse natural resources, we hope to harness students’ interest in academic success as well as environmental protection.”

Many of the books encourage travel as well, including Florida author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Pulitzer prize-winning novel, The Yearling. After enjoying the book, families can visit Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park and enjoy the setting that inspired the book.

Other books on the list that encourage visits outside are:

Grades K-3: Pancakes for Breakfast by Tommie DePaola. Visit De Leon Springs State Park in De Leon Springs where you can make your own pancakes at the table.

Grades 4-5: The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. Visit Collier-Seminole State Park in Naples on the edge of the Everglades rich with Native American history.

Grades 6-8: Forever Forest by Kristin Joy-Pratt Serafini. Visit Homossassa Springs Wildlife State Park to learn about protection and conservation of Florida wildlife.

Grades 9-12: Southern Comforts: Rooted in a Florida Place by Sudye Cauthen. Visit Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida´s first state preserve and a National Natural Landmark.

Research shows that children who continue to read during the summer months are more likely to retain progress made throughout the school year. In addition to the summer reading list, DOE also recently partnered with the Department of State (DOS) and MetaMetrics, Inc. to launch ‘Find a Book,’ a search tool that identifies the appropriate books for each student’s reading level. This technology allows students and their families to personalize their book list according to preference and reading level.

Books are recommended for grades K through 12. In addition, for teens looking for something different to read, visit the ‘For Teens, by Teens: Teens Recommended Reading List’ to see books fellow students enjoy.

To ‘Find a Book,’ visit www.lexile.com/findabook
To download the summer reading list, visit www.justreadfamilies.org/summerreadinglist.pdf
To learn more about the program, visit www.justreadfamilies.org and www.justreadflorida.com

Image courtesy SeaWorld

In celebration of summer, SeaWorld is offering a tremendous deal. With each full-paid, SeaWorld Orlando single-day, adult admission purchased online, any child age 12 and under gets a $5.00 admission. This incredible discount comes at a perfect time.

“This offer makes it easy for families and friends to reconnect during a vacation, a getaway or even just a day trip to one of our parks,” said Jim Atchison, President and Chief Executive Officer for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

What’s better, is that the child admission proceeds go toward non-profit organizations that are working on wildlife conservation projects. Families may choose which wildlife conservation effort receives their donation.

Right now, SeaWorld has a lot to offer, including their new rollercoaster, Manta, and SeaWorld After Dark, their nighttime spectacular which includes a Shamu show, high-energy music, and a fireworks finale.

Image Courtesy SeaWorld

“We know the economy’s been tough for everyone, but more than ever before, everyone needs to spend time together,” Atchison said. “We think families also will have fun deciding which wildlife conservation project gets their donation, too. It’s a wonderful way for kids to learn about the work that goes on to save animals in the wild.”

The discount is good through December 31.

For more information, visit www.seaworldcares.com

View of Fort George River from Kingsley Plantation

By Apryl Chapman Thomas

It may be hard to believe, but there are some destinations in Florida that people just don’t know too much about, and Jacksonvillehappens to be one of them. Not to say that people are completely clueless about the city; on the surface, many know that it’s home to the Jaguars, the Suns and The Landing. Some are familiar with Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and the port as well.

However, that’s where it stops. There’s so much more to the area that many aren’t aware of.

Jacksonville is a great destination for families or anyone looking to experience it all while on vacation.

To get a true feel of the city, here are ten places that should be on everyone’s itinerary.

1. The setting may be unusual (under the Fuller Wareen bridge), but that is also what makes it memorable. The seasonal Riverside Arts Market is a great place to pick up a few items, or just walk around and people watch. There’s always live music playing in the background, and friendly vendors can be found selling goods. From produce to artwork, you never know what you might discover.
2. A few blocks from the Riverside Arts Market is Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens. The venue features a range of exhibits, including one on jazz, featuring poems by Wynton Marsalis. The gardens offer beautiful scenery and a fantastic view of the St. Johns River. Children can even get creative in the Art Connections room.
3. As one of the region’s largest contemporary and modern art museums, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville houses five galleries. Expect to see a little bit of every medium represented here. Budding young artists will enjoy visiting the hands-on ArtExplorium Loft.
4. If you’re exploring Jacksonville with children in tow, head to the Museum of Science & History (MOSH) . Offering fun hands-on exhibits in nature, history and science, the museum brings out the scientist in everyone. Be sure to watch an experiment in the science theater.
5. As the state’s oldest standing plantation, the grounds around Kingsley Plantation provide a fascinating glimpse into a time when sea cotton was king. See the remains of the slave quarters, an old barn, interpretive gardens and a kitchen house. The National Park also allows guests to walk through the plantation home that was built in the late 1700s.
6. Talbot Island State Park is made of seven state parks (Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve, Amelia Island, George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier, fort George Island Cultural, Yellow Bluff Fort Historic and Big Talbot Island State Park). Offering more than five miles of beaches, the undeveloped barrier island lets guests kayak, bike, walk or just enjoy being in the outdoors. You can even take a Segway tour on Fort George Island.
7. Spend some time on the 20 miles of wide, laid-back beaches. Spread out a blanket and relax, build a sandcastle, walk the pier, or surf the waves.
8. Did you know that Jacksonville has the largest urban park system in the United States? Find one to visit that fits your interest.
9. Filled with shops and eateries, nothing beats quaint beach towns like Atlantic Beach or Neptune Beach. Don’t forget about Mayport, a former shrimping village that is now home to the Naval Station Mayport.
10. How about a challenging game of putt-putt or racing around in go-karts? Ever wanted to try laser tag? If so, head to one of the two Jacksonville Adventure Landing locations. Plan your trip right and you can enjoy Shipwreck Island WaterPark at the Jacksonville Beach location.

For additional information on Jacksonville and all that the city has to offer, visit www.visitjacksonville.com