Things To Do In SW Florida

Three Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of Jan. 14-20, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Volusia County

Cafe Heavenly at 115 Flagler Ave. in New Smyrna Beach shut down on Jan. 16. Inspectors found 10 violations, five of which were a high priority. Those violations included rodent activity, a missing vacuum breaker, a stop-sale due to spoiled food and ready-to-eat food not being consumed or sold within a seven-day time period.

A second inspection on Jan. 17 found three violations. Authorities issued a time extension for the missing vacuum breaker.

The restaurant has reopened, but a follow-up inspection is required.

Brevard County

Wendy’s at 10 W. Merritt Island Causeway in Merritt Island shut down on Jan. 16. Inspectors found four violations, including one high-priority violation for raw sewage overflowing in the kitchen.

A second inspection the same day found zero violations.

The restaurant has reopened.

Osceola County

Melina’s Cafe LLC at 1126 E. Donegan Ave. in Kissimmee initially shut down on Jan. 12 but received a time extension on Jan. 16. read more

SeaWorld Orlando is getting ready to celebrate the fifth birthday of its Sesame Street Land, an event that will include chances to meet Mr. Snuffleupagus and other characters.

Festivities begin Saturday and run through April 28. Activities also will include a new Sesame Street Birthday parade, storytime with Big Bird, themed crafts and, for an additional fee, the Birthday Breakfast Bash and a scavenger hunt.

Special character interactions will vary with the date. Snuffy kicks things off from Jan. 27 through Feb. 4. That will be followed by Murray (Feb. 10-11, 17-18), Baby Bear (Feb. 24-25 and March 2-3) and Honker and Dinger (March 9-10, 16-17). Other characters such as Elmo, Cookie and Abby Cadabby are also on hand.

SeaWorld also plans dance parties plus a sing-along of “Happy Birthday” on the 123 Stoop after storytime with Big Bird.

The Birthday Bash will be held on Saturdays (plus Sunday, Jan. 28) during the celebration. Admission to SeaWorld is required for the meal, which is served at 9 a.m. at the park’s Seafire Grill. Menu includes glazed ham, bacon, turkey sausage links, biscuits with gravy, scrambled eggs, French toast sticks, fruit, yogurt, cereal and more. “Sesame Street friends” will be in attendance, SeaWorld says. read more

Chef Yoko Tagaki and her crew from Ramen Tagaki celevbrate with the Ramen Rumble belt after winning the Ramen Rumble at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

The Morimoto Asia restaurant is pictued during the Ramen Rumble at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Chef Takeshi Ikeuchi is pictured during the Ramen Rumble at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Chef Lewis Lin is pictured during the Ramen Rumble at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Chef Wendy Lopez is pictured during the Ramen Rumble at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Chef Sonny Nguyen is pictured during the Ramen Rumble at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) read more