The Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida isn't the largest zoo in the country, though it does clock in at a very respectable 50 acres. There are areas containing wildlife from Africa, Australia and Asia, and Florida. Then there's a section with with all kinds of jaguars, monkeys, reptiles, and (especially) vultures. The zoo's Wikipedia entry even features a digital marque promising that you can feed gentle giraffes. Just so there's no confusion, we like feeding gentle giraffes. We'd even be willing to feed non-gentle giraffes, if it came to that.

More importantly for the immediate circumstances, all-things-adorable blog Zooborns reports that the Brevard Zoo has just had its first ever birth of a Giant Anteater. The little guy or girl—it turns out that you can't really tell the gender of baby Giant Anteaters—will spend the next year of his or her life riding on the back of mom Boo. She and father Abner are said to be pleased by how everything is progressing. ]]> Omri 2012-02-10T14:45:44-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/1/10/18914/1760

January is kind of a slow and sleepy month, but even if it’s not quite harvest time that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of foods to celebrate. There’s spicy stuff, sweet stuff, and everything in between...so here’s our picks for three fun food festivals that might be worth your time this month:

· Kumquat Festival – Dade City, Florida:
Of course the Sunshine State is known for oranges and grapefruits, but they’re also pretty darn awesome at growing kumquats. Dade City wants to share their love for the little orange fruits, and each year they invite like 40,000 friends to come check things out. This year’s festival is scheduled to run from 9am to 5pm on January 28—that’s a Saturday—and it’s free for all to enjoy.

Kumquat ice cream, kumquat pies, and kumquat cookies are just some of the special delicacies on display for sampling and snacking. Organizers are expecting around 350 different vendors to set up shop in the city’s downtown, so expect the usual arts, crafts, car shows, and entertainment in addition to all the tasty treats. There’s recipe contests too, and there’s even a chance to do your thing in hopes of scoring the title of Miss or Mister Kumquat. ]]> kjb 2012-01-11T10:54:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/16/6057/7653

We love oversized checks and construction equipment, and both of those things are now slowly making their way to Tampa International Airport. In total the airport is planning to spend around $30 million to refresh and update some of its terminals, and we’re sure we’re not the only ones who enjoy an airport concourse with a fresh coat of paint.

Some of the airport signs, restrooms, and flooring are approaching 40 years old, so officials want to make sure everything is renovated before it's too late. Some of the updates have been made a priority, as they’re hoping to get at least half of the bathrooms fixed up before the end of next summer. ]]> kjb 2011-12-16T11:11:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/6/63236/2365

Legoland in Florida still has its new theme park smell, but it’s already time to upgrade. The Lego bricks aren’t looking forward to the hot and humid summers, so they’re adding a brand new water park. Officials had mentioned this during the park’s October debut, but now we know that’s it’s all on scheduled and ready to arrive in time for the 2012 summer season.

Obviously there will plenty of spots to splish and splash for the kiddos, and as with the rest of the park it’s going to be tailored to the likes of loves of little ones. Some of the attractions planned for the new waterpark include a Lego Wave Pool, along with something they’re calling Twin Chasers—where you and a buddy twist and turn through intertwined tube tracks. ]]> kjb 2011-12-06T08:44:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/1/213116/539

Art Basel is now underway in Miami; technically the center of it all is South Beach, but there are fairs and exhibitions and installations and events all over the city. We'd like to tell you not to drive because traffic is a bee-yotch but then, taking a cab is not the best idea if you want to save some money to buy art.

With no good public transport options to get around, other than slow and unreliable buses, Miami's best bet for transport during this time may be a scooter or our old friend, DecoBike.

As for what not to do, we've got some tips in that department, too. Right this way...

5. DON'T forget the satellite fairs: It's not all about the official show—Art Basel Miami Beach, at the Miami Beach Convention Center—although the art fair is worth browsing even if you don't have deep pockets. (Keep your eyes peeled for celebs. Names as varied as Will Ferrell and Sylvester Stallone have been spotted.) But definitely make time for some of the more manageable, potentially more interesting, side fairs that have cropped up in the shadows of ABMB. The best include NADA, Scope and Design Miami/. ]]> MsRebecca 2011-12-02T10:44:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/11/17/55430/969

SeaWorld Orlando is located right in the middle of a theme park battleground, and they’re not going to just sit back and let Universal Studios and Walt Disney World have all the fun. They’ve already built new coasters and other attractions, but another round of upgrades and improvements might just keep Shamu ahead of Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse.

For one of the park’s largest expansion ever the place is going back to its roots, and they’re doing even more stuff with the animals. SeaWorld is planning to add a new penguin exhibit, but it’s going to be a little bit different than visiting the zoo. Arriving towards the beginning of 2013—Antarctica — Empire of the Penguin—will bring a whole new array of shops and restaurants to the park along with plenty of penguins.

Of course the centerpiece will be a brand new attraction, but one of the many highlights is the plan to introduce some frigid temperatures to park visitors—like Antarctica cold. They’re still finalizing what exactly the new ride will feature, but they’re promising “closer-then-ever animal connections” with “state-of-the-art interactive ride technologies.” ]]> kjb 2011-11-17T12:51:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/11/3/83552/5308

Models steal children, tell story about 'uncle Gianni'.

It's easy to think that everyone knows the stories that make South Beach the glitzy, sleazy, underdressed spectacle it is, but luckily a brand new company, Discovery Miami Beach, has come along to educate the uninitiated with a new self-guided audio tour—one that 'showcases 29 of the most important places in South Beach’s past and present.'

Of course, this includes a stop outside the Versace Mansion--now known as The Villa By Barton G. You can't go inside unless you want to have a very fancy meal or rest your head on a $1,000-a-night pillow, but you can take a peek at the photos our sister site HotelChatter snapped beyond the gate last fall.

As for the story about how Gianni was slain right there on the steps along Ocean Drive--how's that for education, kids?!

]]> MsRebecca 2011-11-03T09:26:39-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/