Auto File: Shhh! Don’t say that 'R' word!
A gaggle of May sales reports from different regions and companies affirm that the slump in demand for new vehicles that at least some industry executives feared has not happened – so far.
Triceratops makes return trip to Universal Studios theme park
Trixie the triceratops has been making the rounds. She’s now resting outside Universal Studios’ Tribute Store, which is currently themed to the 30th anniversary of the first “Jurassic Park” film.
The dinosaur model is a big showstopper, lying on its side in the Hollywood section of the theme park. For the past 20 years, she’s been at Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee. But it’s not her first stint at Universal Orlando.
“Before she came to the Village, she lived in the Boneyard at Universal Orlando. She was featured there with a couple of ‘Jurassic Park’ vehicles,” said Deni Sunderly, public relations manager of Give Kids the World.
Later, she was donated to the Give Kids the World Village by Universal, Sunderly said.
“At the Village, she’s known as Trixie, the sleeping triceratops,” she said. She is part of JJ Express, a railroad attraction there.
“The narration comes on and says to keep an eye out; we’re coming up on a snoozing Triceratops. And it tells the kids to be sure to be quiet because we don’t want to disturb her sleep,” Sunderly said.
Living with anxiety? What to know when buying life insurance
In the United States, 6.8 million adults struggle with generalized anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. This means they experience a sense of worry most days, and these feelings can creep into their personal, social and working life.
If you’re part of this group, the thought of securing life insurance might feel overwhelming. While an anxiety diagnosis can make it trickier to navigate the buying process, it doesn’t disqualify you from getting coverage.
How life insurers view anxiety
From diabetes to depression, all health conditions are seen to present some degree of risk. An insurer’s job is to answer the question: How risky are you to cover?
To calculate risk, companies typically ask about your health and lifestyle as part of the life insurance underwriting process. They then use this information to determine whether you’re eligible for coverage and set your rates.
If you’re living with generalized anxiety disorder, you can expect to answer questions about the date of your diagnosis and last anxiety episode, as well as prescriptions and treatments.
Travel Troubleshooter: Icelandair changed my flights. Can I get a refund for my tour?
DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I recently booked a vacation package online through Icelandair Holidays. Two months later, I received a text that my airport had been changed from Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Washington Dulles.
Miguel Medina / AFP / Getty Images
Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter
I realized that traveling to Dulles would be inconvenient, because it is a two-hour drive from my home in Baltimore, while BWI is only 25 minutes away. Using a cab or car service would incur extra expenses, so I wanted to discuss options with Icelandair Holidays.
Much to my consternation, I could not find a phone number, email or live chat to assist. The website instructions led me to a customer support form. I completed the form and requested a refund. I received an autoreply.
No one from Icelandair Holidays has responded. I have not received a refund to my credit card. The lack of response from Icelandair Holidays is frustrating and unacceptable. Can you help me get my $2,972 back?
— Patricia Boyle, Baltimore
ANSWER: Icelandair Holidays should have responded to you and helped you figure out what to do. But a refund? I’m not sure about that.
Tesla set to open two more dealerships in Orlando
Fast-growing electric carmaker Tesla will open two more sales and service centers in Orlando near the Packing District and in the airport submarket, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.
The Elon Musk-led company has leased the former Bedrosians Tile and Stone building at 2140 N. John Young Pkwy. The 43,000-square-foot building is in the Contractors Business Park Orlando and abuts the Walmart Supercenter on Princeton Street.
Jerod Freeland and Justin Ruby with Foundry Commercial marketed the Bedrosians property for lease, and Atlantic Retail represented the tenant in the negotiations.
“I think what made it attractive is all of the development going on in the area with Dr. Phillips and the Packing District. I think that that was a big draw for it, and it was close proximity, some of their other locations that Tesla has,” Freeland said. “I think their goal is to open as soon as possible.”
Tesla also filed a master plan with the City of Orlando for a new sales and service center at the corner of Lee Vista Boulevard and Goldenroad Road in the Orlando Corporate Center PD.