SEAWORLD ORLANDO RELEASED REHABILITATED SEA TURTLE TODAY

Earlier this morning, SeaWorld Orlando released a rehabilitated, sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle back into the waters of the Canaveral National Seashore in Titusville, Fla.

The sea turtle was found on the beach in Indialantic, Fla. and was brought to SeaWorld Orlando on Dec. 21, 2011, highly emaciated, lethargic and covered in leeches and barnacles. The sea turtle was also suffering from digestive issues, possible pneumonia and small shell wounds.

Upon arrival at SeaWorld, the sea turtle immediately received antibiotics and was closely monitored by the SeaWorld Aquarium Team.

This year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 11 sea turtles, and released five. For 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need -- ill, injured and orphaned.  More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts.‪ SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ‪

To help protect this threatened species, make sure fishing line and all trash is disposed of properly. When fishing, use new "circle" hooks - sea turtles are less likely to swallow the circle-shaped hooks than traditional J-shaped, which cause suffocation or internal bleeding when swallowed.  Also, if a sea turtle’s nest is seen, please contact authorities.

LEGO® Star Wars™ Models Revealed For First Time As Model Builders Prepare For Grand Opening of LEGO® Star Wars™ Gallery and LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Expansion

CARLSBAD, Calif. (March 27, 2012) – LEGOLAND® California’s Master Model Builders, Gary McIntire and Ryan Ziegelbauer, installed a new LEGO® model of a Jawa sandcrawler in LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland today as the family theme park prepares to reveal the expanded area to the public on March 29. The giant Jawa sandcrawler, featured in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope is made up of more than 15,000 LEGO bricks and weighs more than 50 pounds. Other new LEGO models being introduced include: the ion cannon in the Rebel base on the planet Hoth; a towering Crystal City building in Christophsis and the giant opee sea killer on Naboo.

In the new LEGO® Star Wars™ Gallery, guests will be further immersed into the Star Wars experience as they walk through, encountering large-scale LEGO minifigures from each episode. Each LEGO model is 3-feet-tall, constructed of approximately 10,000 bricks and displayed on a podium for guests to get an up-close look. The 12 characters feature: Wicket, Princess Leia, R2-D2, Clone Captain Rex, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, Boba Fett, Chewbacca, Yoda and Darth Maul.

Guests can also enjoy new scenes in LEGO Star Wars Miniland from the six live-action Star Wars™ movies, as well as one from the animated series Star Wars: THE CLONE WARS™ all made out of more than 2 million LEGO bricks and built in 1:20 scale.

KNOTT’S EASTER BRUNCH OFFERS A FESTIVE FAMILY FEAST

Buena Park, CA – Knott’s Berry Farm, known for their fresh and flavorful food, will be offering an expansive brunch this Easter.  On Sunday, April 8, Knott’s chefs will be preparing a buffet for guests that will have something for every member of the family from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

    The Knott’s Easter Brunch will include a breakfast station featuring made to order omelets, Belgium waffles, and cheese blintzes with Boysenberry sauce.  The carving station will be presenting roasted turkey, honey glazed ham, and prime rib carved to order.  Hot buffet items will include filet of salmon, sweet hickory pork ribs, old fashioned apple stuffing, cheese enchiladas, vegetarian lasagna and of course, Mrs. Knott’s famous fried chicken.  Holiday specialties will include bunny face cupcakes, carrot cake, decorated Easter egg cookies and Easter basket favorite – jelly beans! Knott’s Easter Brunch also includes unlimited champagne.

    Guests to Knott’s Easter Brunch can choose their location – Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, Spurs Chophouse or Wilderness Dance Hall, all of which will be decorated for the holiday.  Knott’s Easter Brunch prices are $29.95 for Adults, $22.95 for Seniors (65+) and $16.95 for Children (3-11).  Book your reservation early by calling (714) 220-5055.  Brunch guests will also be able to purchase an all-day park admission ticket for only $19.99 per person. 
    For more information on all Knott’s has to offer, visit www.knotts.com.
   

NIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT ANNOUNCES STELLAR 2012 ROCK THE UNIVERSE MUSIC LINE-UP

Florida’s Biggest Christian Music Festival Returns With Some of Christian Rock’s Hottest Bands, Featuring Performances
by Skillet, Newsboys, Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp and More

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 26, 2012) – On September 7 and 8, some of the most exciting bands in Christian rock will come together for Rock the Universe 2012 at Universal Orlando Resort – Florida’s biggest Christian music festival.

\This year’s line-up features some of the most popular names in Christian rock.  More than a dozen hit bands will take the stage, including Skillet – which was awarded a Billboard Music Award for “Top Christian Album” in 2011; four-time Grammy-nominated band Newsboys; rock group Switchfoot, which has sold millions of albums worldwide; and three-time Dove award winner Jeremy Camp. The full line-up is below.

ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2012 LINE-UP
Friday, September 7	Saturday, September 8
Skillet	tobyMac
Newsboys	Switchfoot
Jeremy Camp	Relient K
for KING & COUNTRY	Britt Nicole
Family Force 5	tenth avenue north
Robert Pierre	Rhett Walker Band
Group 1 Crew	Group 1 Crew
We As Human	We As Human
Everfound	Everfound

**Names in bold indicate headlining acts.

Guests will also enjoy an exciting FanZone presented by Coca-Cola including live music by up-and-coming acts Everfound and We As Human, autograph sessions with the bands, karaoke and band merchandise.  Guests will also experience a Saturday night candle lighting service featuring Tenth Avenue North , guest speakers and more. 

Plus, guests will enjoy the thrilling attractions only found at Universal Studios Florida.  They can rock out to hit songs at 65 mph on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, laugh along with America ’s favorite animated family on The Simpsons Ride and speed through the darkness on the world’s first psychological thrill ride – Revenge of the Mummy.  

For more details about Rock the Universe 2012, visit www.RocktheUniverse.com or call 1-866-RTU-INFO (1-866-788-4636).

Butterfly Jungle Opens Saturday at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

  The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has added thousands of animals to its collection this week, and all of them are gorgeous-butterflies! Butterfly Jungle opens on Saturday, March 24, and runs through Sunday, April 15, 2012.

     As part of Butterfly Jungle, the Safari Park has transformed the walk-through aviary of Hidden Jungle into a temporary home for 30 species of beautiful and exotic butterflies. In the aviary, thousands of delicate and colorful insects surround guests, fluttering lightly through the warm air to find flowers to feed on.

     "Butterfly Jungle heralds the start of spring at the Safari Park," said Michael Mace, the Safari Park's curator of birds. "It's one of the most popular events we hold all year."

     The delicate creatures not only enchant guests but make ecological sense. They come to the Safari Park in the pupae stage from Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Mace has been to some of the butterfly farms in Central America and met with the farmers.
     "If they weren't harvesting butterflies, many of these farmers would clear cut their land and plant crops or raise cattle," Mace said. "Instead, when they harvest butterflies, they leave the land in its pristine state."

     People headed for Butterfly Jungle should wear bright-colored clothing to increase the chances of butterflies landing on their clothes or hats. When the insects do land, guests should enjoy the close encounter, but don't touch. And don't forget to pick up a timed Butterfly Jungle ticket! New this year, guests can use identification cards in the exhibit that will help them determine the names of many of the species.

     Butterfly Jungle is included with admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

SeaWorld Orlando Caring for Two Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings

SeaWorld Orlando animal rescue team received two hawksbill turtle hatchlings earlier this week.  They are approximately two months old.

The first was found at Melbourne Beach by a tourist and was dropped off at the Sea Turtle Preservation Society in Melbourne Beach, Fla. It weighs only 2 ounces and is nearly 3 inches long. The turtle was in lethargic and weak condition when it arrived (photos 12 and 16)

The second turtle was found in Cocoa Beach and also brought to the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. It weighs 2.5 ounces and is just over 3 inches long.  (photo 17)
This turtle was covered with algae and fauna, as seen in the photo.
Both hatchlings were brought to SeaWorld for examination and continued care, including, feeding, giving fluids and around-the-clock observation and monitoring.

Because of their age and size, they’re living in a small brooder where the temperature is kept at a constant 84 degrees. They are in the water several times throughout the day but also spend time dry in order to conserve their energy. The turtles are taken home in their brooder each night by a turtle expert (aquarist) for middle-of-the-night feedings.

It’s a tough journey ahead but both turtles are looking better and are showing positive signs.
Hawksbill turtles are endangered due to human exploitation and habitat degradation.   
This year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 10 sea turtles and released three.  For more than 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need -- ill, injured and orphaned.  More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts.‪ SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ‪

Fairytale Town Presents A Midsummer Night's Dream & Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy on June 9

Annual fundraiser features fairy fun, live music, food and more

Tickets on sale May 1

A Midsummer Night's Dream and Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy, Fairytale Town's popular fairy-themed fundraiser and ice cream social, will return on Saturday, June 9, from 6 to 10 p.m. Inspired by Shakespeare's famous play, this enchanting evening features nonstop entertainment for the whole family, including costumed performers, fanciful arts and crafts activities, live music, food and all the Crystal Ice Cream one can eat.

Celtic-rock band Tempest will perform throughout the evening. Since forming in 1988, the band has won rave reviews for their musical hybrid of high-energy folk rock with Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the act has released 15 critically acclaimed albums and played more than 2,000 gigs.

Multiple arts and crafts activities will be stationed throughout the park, and old-time vendors will be on hand to offer their traditional wares. Guests can also sample different Crystal Ice Cream flavors throughout the evening. Costumes for the entire family are strongly encouraged.

John Frisch, regional managing director at Cornish and Carey, and Monica Woods, News 10's chief meteorologist, will serve as the evening's hosts and honorary king and queen. Taking on the roles of Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairies in Shakespeare's play, Frisch and Woods will kick off the event and greet guests. Mix 96's Jennifer Wood will emcee the event.

"The Shakespeare-inspired festivities combined with Fairytale Town's playful environment makes A Midsummer Night's Dream and Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy an event that adults and children will enjoy," said Marci Reynolds, event chair and Fairytale Town board member. "The event brings all ages together in support of the park and its programs and improvements."

Tickets go on sale May 1 and are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 2-12 in advance. Day-of tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-12. Children ages 1 and under are free. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.fairytaletown.org beginning May 1.

Proceeds from A Midsummer Night's Dream and Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy support Fairytale Town's programs and park improvements.

The title sponsor of the event is Crystal Ice Cream, produced by Foster Farms Dairy. Additional sponsors include Mix 96 Radio, Downey Brand LLP, Sacramento Credit Union, Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP, the Lerseth Family, KVIE Television, Jordan Blair, Sacramento Coca Cola, Scott Naake Paper Products, Securitas Security Services, the Gartner Family, Otto Construction, Wendy Holmquist and Jeff Chenu, and Gilbert Associates, Inc.


For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Event Details

What:  A Midsummer Night's Dream & Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy

When:  Saturday, June 9, 2012

Time:  6 - 10 p.m.

Cost:  Advance Tickets: $15 for adults, $5 for children (ages 2-12), free for children 1 & under

   Day-of Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 for children (ages 2-12), free for children 1 & under

Where:  Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento CA 95822

Phone:  (916) 808-7462

Email:  mail@fairytaletown.org

Website:  www.fairytaletown.org