If you can't hear the bell you've lost the spirit of Christmas. It's true.

Have you been on the Facebook (now a major motion picture)? Of course you have. My parents are on it, and if my parents are on it then you’ve got to be on it. Yes, my parents are that cool. Also, aces and neato.

There’s a new crew out there (there being the aforementioned Facebook, but also Twitter and places you would least suspect!) and with your help they’re sharing local events in your community. Join them, won’t you?

Here’s what’s happening in the wide world of sports UpTake Getaways:

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According to AAA, 2.5 million Angelenos are expected to get away from it all on Labor Day weekend.  That means there’s a 2.5 million-person hole left behind for visitors to fill!  So if you’re in LA for Labor Day and looking for something special to do, here’s a short list.

Malibu Chili Cook-Off

Carnival, celebrities, chili.  Tickets are $10 (cheaper for kids) and the chili vendors sell their wares, although they do give out 2 oz. samples for judging.  This event has grown from a small community gathering into a major undertaking, mostly by word of mouth, like the best ones do.

Long Beach Jazz Festival’s KJazz Blues Bash

A scaled down event that will take the place of the traditional weekend-long festival.  (It’s the economy.)  However, the organizers have planned what looks to be a lovely family-friendly celebration of music and food on the Cal State Long Beach Campus.  A free street festival beginning at noon welcomes you to bring blankets, low beach chairs, and even shade umbrellas for the perimeter.  You can also bring food and beverages, but there will be plenty for sale on site.  The evening ends with a performance by Keb Mo, for which ticketed seats cost $55.  Parking is $10.

Kidspace Farmer Day

For the little ones:  it’s Farmer Day at Kidspace in Pasadena.  If you don’t have the energy (or the patience, or a big enough diaper bag) to make it to one of the bigger events, why not venture out for a special day of animal petting for your preschooler?  The kids will get up close and personal with farm animals, and they’ll help bring in crops.  City folk are sure to love it.

KCRW’s 2nd Annual Pie Contest

What’s more American than a pie-eating contest?  Nothing!  Right!  Also, it’s free!  The second annual KCRW Good Food Pie contest takes place on Sunday, September 5 from 4 to 6 pm on the grounds of the Taste of Beverly Hills event (tickets vary in price but are mostly $$$).

Happy Birthday, LA

LA’s 229th birthday is celebrated by residents in a nine-mile walk from the original mission to Olvera Street downtown.

Leimert Park Village African Art & Music Festival

The 2nd Annual Leimert Park Village African Art & Music Festival is a celebration of art, music and food, with a schedule of performances, events, and activities for all ages.  It’s free.  Leimert Park Village is a thriving African American community right in downtown Los Angeles.

[photo by Mike Munchel via sxc.hu]

Summer vacations are officially here. I read that on the internet, so you know it’s true. Speaking of the internet, welcome to it. We’ve been expecting you.

This is where the travel happens, and to a lesser extent, the magic. Enjoy.

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Have you ever been conned by a hotel? It happens. Oyster can help you avoid the sneaky stuff.

LEGOLAND has added a water park. No assembly required.

Flying through Houston? Hungry? There’s a new La Salsa in town.

Win a trip to Shanghai! Seriously.

The Euro is down, rent a villa!

A nerd’s eye view on Moloka’i.

Are you ready to party, Columbus? The Park Street Festival is coming!

See the top beach houses. Rent them.

The Gulf feels the oil spill right in the wallet (and elsewhere).

Oahu is all about the pampering — and we’re not talking diapers.

Starwood Preferred Guests get free stuff! Are you one?

Pottery Games? Not in the house.

Kaua’i is all about the golfing — and we’re not talking, wait, yes, we’re talking about golf.

Winter Park, Colorado has gone to the jazz.

Tomorrow is Oceans Day — see what Disney is doing.

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And that, as they say, is that. They know who they are.

If you would like to be featured in a weekly edition of Travel Around the Internet contact us via email or Twitter. It could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship (see, Facebook).

Orlando - We Still Have Palm Trees In January

January is a great time to visit Orlando, Florida if you’re not a fan of crowds or oppressive heat.  The humidity is usually next to nothing, and most of the holiday visitors have packed up and headed home.  But there’s still plenty of things to do in Orlando in January.

7 Things To Do In January In Orlando

Disney Marathon in Orlando in January

1.  Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 7 – January 10, 2010

Strap on your sneakers and run 26.2 miles through all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks.   The weekend also features a half marathon, a family 5k run and races for the kids.  Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo also runs all weekend long at the Wide World of Sports Complex and features celebrity athlete speakers, fitness seminars and a product expo for health and exercise fans.

Rescued Manatee at Blue Springs State Park

2.  Blue Spring Manatee Festival – January 23 & 24, 2010

North of Orlando, in Volusia County’s Orange City, you’ll find a local festival offering crafts, face painting, games and rides. But the highlight of the event is the chance to catch a shuttle over to Blue Spring State Park to watch hundreds of manatee in their natural habitat.

Scottidsh Highland Games in January

3.  Central Florida Scottish Highland Games – January 16 & 17, 2010

Hosted in Winter Springs, the Scottish Highland Games provides a truly unique festival experience. Watch (or participate in!) athletic events like the open stone put, hammer toss, and caber toss. The festival also includes a dance competition and a whisky tasting event. Tickets for the weekend are $20 for adults.

4.  Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities – January 23 – 31, 2010

Taking place the last week of January each year in Eatonville and throughout Orange County, Florida, this multi-day, multi-disciplinary event celebrates the life and work of 20th century writer, folklorist and anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurston, as well as the cultural contributions of people of African ancestry across the world. The festival features writers’ forums, lectures by well-known novelists, art exhibitions and live music. January 30th is the festival’s Family Day and features an outdoor art festival. Event details available online.

5.  Sunshine Regional Chili Cook-Off – January 17, 2010

Each year, Kissimmee, Florida hosts this International Chili Society sanctioned event at the Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The competition will offer more than $4,000 in cash/prizes, including $1,000 for the 1st place winner and airfare to attend the World Finals. Although pre-registration is required to compete, the public can watch, sample and vote as all the cooking is done on site. The event also features live entertainment, a beer garden, children activities, and, of course, food vendors.

6.  Light Up UCF – January 1 – 10, 2010

Light Up UCF starts in November and continues on through the first week of January. Enjoy ice skating, a light show, film festival and live music. Visit the website for specific event information for each day.

7. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus – January 14 – 17, 2010

Run away to the circus in January

The circus is coming to Orlando’s Amway Arena this January. Catch the animals, the tight-rope walkers, the clowns and the motorcycle troupe. Beginning 90 minutes before each show, families can get up close with some of their favorite animal performers in the free Animal Open House. And then, starting one hour before the show, guests can join on the arena floor for the All Access Pre-show, free to all ticket holders. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.ringling.com.

Of course, all of the amusement parks, museums and shopping malls are still open all over Orlando in January, too!

Photo Credits: Britt Reints, mighty-J, Britt Reints, Scottish Highland Games, Ringling Bros.