Things To Do In SW Florida

In the annals of Florida politics, it’s often been the unwritten role of the attorney general to be the adult in the room, stepping back from the politics and propaganda to offer coolly composed reflections – often issued as official opinions, or requests to the Florida Supreme Court to weigh in on the legality behind a controversy.

Ashley Moody has apparently forgotten that history and mislaid her copy of the Florida Constitution. She’s increasingly likely to be seen on conservative TV channels spouting conspiracy theories and far-right talking points, including endorsements of efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and a long-running, wrongheade  investigation of a campaign to restore civil rights to former felons that is now part of the Florida Constitution.

Last week, however, Moody went further than ever before. In a rapidly babbled assertion made to Fox News personality Maria Bartiromo, she actually accused the Biden administration of conspiracy to allow deadly drugs like fentanyl to cross the southern border. read more

“It feels like we just celebrated 50!” says Roland Smith.

But that was five years ago, and in the time since — boy — have things ever been crazy at the iconic, family-run restaurant that its operators simply call “The Beef.”

This month Beefy King turns 55, and Smith, whose dad, Freeman, bought the place from founder Tom Veigle in 1968 after relocating from Detroit, has been working behind its hallowed counter since he was 18.

The Smiths lived in Detroit but had family in Orlando. They visited often.

“One day, Dad came home and said, ‘We’re moving.’”

His father was ready to get out of the home-improvement business. Young Roland had just graduated high school. He enrolled at UCF and started slinging sandos. Four years later, he hadn’t tired of it.

“I worked at The Beef the whole time and decided it wasn’t such a bad gig.”

After school came marriage to wife, Sandee, in 1970. Two years later, daughter Heather was born. Shannon joined her sister in 1975.

“Being in the restaurant business is a constant,” Smith says. “Both Shannon and Heather grew up there. They were working as soon as they could walk around and stand at the counter.” read more

Princess Cruises announced its new class of ship Sun Princess headed to Florida next year will feature a unique top-deck adventure ride called a Rollglider.

Inspired by hang gliding and dubbed the Sea Breeze, the Rollglider straps cruisers into a seated harness to travel along an overhead track in what amounts to a combination of a zipline and roller coaster. The ride, though, is propelled electrically and can reach up 11 mph for a 60- to 90-second tour that is the centerpiece of ship’s Park19 space, which features nine activity spaces across decks 19, 20 and 21.

Similar to the suspended bicycle attraction SkyRide on sister cruise line Carnival’s Vista-class ships, the Sea Breeze looks to offer panoramic views on the track that does a 360-tour of the ship. A variety of the ADA accessible ride developed by European company Safety Engineering has been constructed at attractions around the globe, but not yet on a cruise ship.

“Park19 as the name suggests is a new space created for all our guests, including activities to bring together multi-generational travel families in a location with spectacular views and fun outdoor activities for all,” said line president John Padgett in a press release. “The new area was tailored based on guest feedback for more family and group activities spaces.” read more