Things To Do In SW Florida

Port Canaveral expects to build on what’s already been a record revenue year with its proposed budget for 2024 while also sinking nearly as much money as it will be taking in for capital projects.

The proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2023, and runs through Sept. 30, 2024 forecasts operating revenue of nearly $190 million, which is likely to be close to the final numbers that come in at the close of fiscal 2023 at the end of this month.

Through August, or 11 months into 2023’s fiscal year, the port has seen $177.2 million in operating revenue after bringing in another $13.2 million last month. Cruise revenue including parking makes up the lion’s share of that having brought in $147.3 million though 840 cruise calls that have seen nearly 6.3 million multi-day passenger movements since October 2022.

“If you follow the numbers every month, it’s a new record right now,” said Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray during the port commission meeting Wednesday. “So we’re going to have a very successful year.” read more

Despite being a longtime beer drinker and brewery owner, Celeste Beatty has only attended the Great American Beer Festival in Denver once in its 40-plus-year history.

In 2001, she founded Harlem Brewing Co. and began contracting with other beer makers to bring her original recipes to market. Beer has been Beatty’s way of connecting with her heritage and community. As a Black woman, she looks to the Harlem Renaissance, the Sugar Hill district, and icons like baseball players Buck Leonard and Josh Gibson for inspiration in her craft.

Beatty has always wanted to share her beers – and the unique stories they honor – with drinkers at GABF, but was unsure if she’d fit in with the “big guys” who typically serve there. This year, however, Beatty jumped at the opportunity to pour on the festival floor after learning there would be an area dedicated to brewers of color.

Harlem Brewing Co. will be one of five booths in the first National Black Brewers Association Pavilion, which will inhabit 360 square feet of real estate within the Colorado Convention Center during the fest (Sept. 21-23). The activation aims to add diversity to GABF’s lineup of breweries and raise awareness about its namesake trade group, which formed in December. read more

Do you need extra money ahead of the holiday season?

Amazon announced this week that it’s hiring over 10,000 people across several Florida metro areas to support its holiday operations ramping up in the fall.

The jobs include stowing, picking, packing, sorting and shipping customer orders, the company said. Full-time, seasonal and part-time roles are available.

“The holiday season is always a special time at Amazon and we’re excited to hire 250,000 additional people this year to help serve customers across the country,” John Felton, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations, said Tuesday in a statement. “Whether someone is looking for a short-term way to make extra money, or is hoping to take their first step toward a fulfilling and rewarding career at Amazon, there’s a role available for them.

If you’re interested in applying, here’s what to know:

Where is Amazon hiring in Florida?

Amazon is hiring for these Florida metro areas:

South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties): More than 3,000 employees read more

Lauren Ward | Bankrate (TNS)

Before you take on a new project, it’s important to understand the differences between a remodel versus renovation.

Not only does each one come with its own range of costs, time frames and permit rules, but they may also differ in the value you’ll recoup from your investment. Considerations like these can help guide your decision and determine the scope of the project you choose.

Renovation vs. remodel

Though often used interchangeably, remodels and renovations are based on the scope of the project.

When you think of a home renovation, think of it as a refresh or minor makeover. A renovation typically entails projects that homeowners choose to do themselves, like painting, changing the hardware on kitchen cabinets and updating lighting. These projects are “spruce-ups” for the aesthetics of your home. Home renovations don’t break the bank and are often started and finished on the same weekend.

When you think of a remodel, think of it as a reconstruction or major project. A home remodel usually involves hiring professionals and may involve obtaining permits before the project starts. read more