Things To Do In SW Florida

Q:  I was a representative for the estate of my cousin, who died in 2015. I have bins full of her information, including all the tax returns, etc. I want to start shredding it, but I could burn out my shredder. Would it be safe to just put all this in the recycle bin?   – S.G., Davenport

A:  If everything with your cousin’s estate is finalized, it is safe to shred those documents. But don’t put them in the recycle bin. There are companies that will shred documents for a fee or local events where you can bring documents to shred safely. –  Jessica Hall

Q:  I inherited an IRA from my father. Can I use the RMD from that account to make a tax-free donation to a qualified charity? I’m 69 years old.  – B.D., Orlando

A:  Not until you turn 70 ½. At that point, you can give any portion of that amount directly to the charity of your choice and avoid it from being counted as taxable income.  This is a better option, as you would only get a potential tax deduction for normal charitable donations against all of your taxable income vs. it being excluded from taxable income. –  John Cash III read more

Just last month, Jeff and Danielle Perera of Orlando’s homegrown Jeff’s Bagel Run announced a partnership with 1337 Capital with plans to take their humble bagel run nationwide, but this expansion clearly begins at home.

Word has dropped that plans are in the works for two new metro-area bagel shops in Winter Park (1336 N. Orange Ave.) and Celebration at the Celebration Pointe Shopping Center before year’s end.

“We are so excited to bring our delicious bagels and friendly atmosphere to the residents and visitors of Celebration, Florida,” said Perera in a press release. “Both stores will feature an open-kitchen concept with bar seating so guests can watch the bagel-making magic.”

READ MORE: Jeff’s Bagel Run partners with 1337 Capital to launch nationwide

The 1,127-square foot space in Winter Park will be familiar to foodies, located adjacent to Black Bean Deli and sharing shopping center space with Jimmy Johns. This stretch, familiar to the city’s foodies, is also home to the Buttermilk Bakery, Foxtail Farmhouse/Swine & Sons, The Courtesy Bar and Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar. read more

Customers who skip out on their Mother’s Day brunch reservations at The Tap Room at Dubsdread this Sunday will end up paying the $64.95 for the roasted leg of lamb, braised pork belly and other buffet offerings they bailed on.

The business imposed the new policy for big holiday events after 300 people didn’t show up for its Easter buffet earlier this year, said owner Steve Gunter. There were about 1,400 people booked that day between the restaurant in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood and at Apopka’s Highland Manor, where Gunter’s business caters and also had an Easter brunch.

Gunter said thousands of dollars worth of food were thrown out and servers earned less in tips. Easter brunch was fully booked weeks ahead, with 500 potential customers who could have enjoyed the event having been turned away, he said.

“Half of this dining room was empty … for a while. So it just felt very strange, because everything’s decorated and we have all these reservations, and then suddenly you’re just waiting and there’s empty chairs everywhere,” said Carolyn Kuwik, a server at the College Park restaurant. “These are huge days that we really count on because we serve great food and it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. It’s a premium check, so when a table of eight doesn’t show up, that’s a lot of money.” read more