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Here & There

By David Monforton

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Photo credit: SeaWorld Orlando.

Behind the Scenes at SeaWorld

You've flown through the air headfirst and facedown on Manta, and you've been amazed by the stunts of the park's most famous resident, Shamu. But have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at SeaWorld Orlando? If so, then the Behind-the-Scenes Tour is just what you need to complete your experience.

Your tour guide will provide fascinating facts about SeaWorld and its commitment to wildlife. Discover how the park's animal experts care for rescued manatees and sea turtles, then separate shark fact from fiction before touching a small shark, exploring a hidden polar bear den, and petting a propitious penguin. There is an additional fee to take the Behind-the-Scenes Tour, but during AAA Member Days from Jan. 18-24, members can buy one Behind-the-Scenes Tour ticket and get one free, a savings of up to $30. Members can also take advantage of a Buy One, Get One Free offer on All Day Dining Deal wristbands during AAA Member Days at the park, a savings of nearly $40.

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Gwen Cherry ensures her vote is known in the Florida House of Representatives in the 1970s. Photo credit: Museum of Floria History.

Honoring Influential Women in Florida

A new exhibit at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee tells the stories of Florida women and their involvement in shaping social, economic and cultural changes in the state. "Voices of Florida Women" highlights women from various backgrounds, and objects in the exhibit interpret their everyday lives, beliefs and vocations. Whether fighting for equal rights or creating beautiful artwork, these women made a positive difference and they inspire us to do the same. The exhibit consists of a well-blended combination of artifacts, photographs, interpretative panels, creative designs and interactive components exclusively drawn from the permanent collections of the museum. "Voices" is a temporary exhibit at the museum, and is scheduled to run through April 5, 2010.

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Tall Tails in Naples

When world-famous zoo director Jack Hanna pays a visit to your zoo, you know something big is up. For the Naples Zoo, that something big is actually something tall—the creation of the zoo's first-ever giraffe habitat, scheduled to open in early 2011. Hanna will be on hand at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club on Feb. 8 to help raise funds for the giraffe habitat and—as he does in his many television appearances—will present a diverse array of exotic creatures.

The event will feature delicious food and festive beverages, a silent auction of an exotic assortment of items, and a raffle with the winners to be drawn by Jack Hanna himself! Event tickets are $150 per person; patron tickets are available for $250 and include a one-hour reception with Hanna prior to the event. For more information, call (239) 262-5409, ext. 133, or visit www.napleszoo.org/giraffe.

On a related note, Naples Zoo Director of Conservation and Communications Tim Tetzlaff will be hosting Kenya & Tanzania: A Classic Safari, a 13-day tour departing Sept. 5, 2010. For more information on this tour, or to reserve your space, contact your local AAA Travel office.

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Photo credit: Georgia Aquarium.

An Exhibition With Bite

For a limited time, visitors to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta will be the first to experience the most comprehensive and innovative "out of water" shark exhibition to tour the world. "Planet Shark: Predator or Prey" is a stand-alone exhibition inside the aquarium and will complement the existing collection of more than 70 live sharks, representing 14 different species.

The exhibition takes guests on a journey of engaging discovery—presenting facts, dispelling myths and providing a better understanding of one of the most misunderstood animals on earth. In addition to the physical aspect of the exhibition—such as full-scale shark models; real shark jaws, teeth and fossils; and cages and artifacts from the movie Jaws—there will be lectures from world-renowned shark experts, shark-themed film festivals and more.

This exhibit is a separately ticketed attraction at the aquarium, but AAA members can save on admission to both by purchasing tickets at AAA offices in Georgia, Tennessee and select Florida locations, or online at AAA.com/Fun.

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Characters Welcome!

From Feb. 6 through May 16, the Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando will be home to "Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television," an exhibit featuring costumes and props from popular movies and TV shows. It includes more than 40 costumes, props and models from Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, Ghostbusters, The Terminator, Indiana Jones, Star Trek, Batman and many more.

The exhibit examines how costume design incorporates color, style, scale, materials, historical traditions and cultural cues to help performers and audiences engage with the characters being portrayed. Plus, it's simply a thrill to be in the presence of costumes and props that are as iconic as the actors who wore or used them.

A complementary exhibit, "Lights! Camera! Action! Filming in Paradise," will showcase Florida's surprisingly extensive history in film and television, featuring Apollo 13, Where the Boys Are, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Edward Scissorhands and more. The History Center also will host a series of special events and programs, including a Grand Opening Block Party on Feb. 6.

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Photo credit: Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival..

Anniversary Milestone for Cultural Festival

Celebrating its 10th anniversary of promoting diversity and cultural sensitivity, this year's Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival will take place Jan. 14-23 in locations throughout Tampa, providing the community and visitors a unique blend of African and African American art, culture and history. Scheduled to begin the weekend before and end the weekend after the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the festival features local and national speakers, musicians, artists, poets and crafters, as well as activities that are available for all to enjoy and learn from.

The festival consists of two main components: cultural enrichment activities and a street festival. The cultural enrichment activities include A Living History, an event that highlights persons who were directly involved in a historically significant event in U.S. history. Other cultural enrichment activities include the Heritage Gala—a social held at Busch Gardens that kicks off the festival and recognizes community leaders—the MLK Breakfast, a Heritage Movie, plus much more.

The two-day street festival offers activities for all, including food and craft vendors, live entertainment and free health screenings. There will be artists and authors on hand, as well as corporate, Greek (sorority/fraternity) and children's presentations.

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