Things To Do In SW Florida

A bill advancing through the Florida Legislature would delete the majority of references to climate change in state law.

House Bill 1645 would enact wide-ranging changes to Florida’s energy policy, something House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, has said is needed to ensure state residents’ power is reliable and affordable.

In the process, the bill would delete eight times the phrase “climate change” is mentioned in current law (compared to seven instances where it would be left untouched). Sometimes, the phrase is deleted from sentences that are otherwise left mostly intact.

In other cases, the bill would repeal entire sections of law that mention climate change, such as a grant program that helps local governments and school districts reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill would also reduce certain regulations on natural gas pipelines, preempt local governments’ control over the location of natural gas storage facilities and make it so state agencies and local governments no longer have to consider fuel efficiency when buying vehicles, among other changes. read more

TALLAHASSEE — When Florida lawmakers passed $711 million legislation to create thousands of affordable housing units last year, it was considered long-overdue relief for low- and middle-income Floridians.

Less than a year later, communities across the state are in uproar. Officials complain of proposed developments ruining the character of neighborhoods. Some say they’ve lost control of local planning.

And the law has allowed developers to avoid millions in local taxes without providing much affordable housing for lower-income residents.

A report on one of the bill’s key components shows that fewer than 500 new apartments meriting tax breaks are affordable for Floridians earning 80% or less of the median income.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, and other state lawmakers have recognized the outrage. The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a “glitch” bill addressing some — but not all — of the complaints. The legislation still has to pass the House.

Passidomo said she wants to keep working with local governments, and the law could change in future years to accommodate complaints. But she said the Live Local Act’s success will take years to realize. read more

This year’s Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld Orlando features international flair with dishes from France, Italy, Ireland, India, the Caribbean, Brazil, Polynesia and beyond. There’s plenty of domestic fare, too, including a selection rooted in Milwaukee.

Jose Vargas, executive sous chef for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, chatted with the Orlando Sentinel about menu strategy, the festival’s new eating options and just how hot is too hot.

QUESTION: How did you approach the Seven Seas menu?

ANSWER: I wanted to keep the menu simple, flavorful, easily executed. I want people to come and go and eat. And not too messy. I didn’t want to go too high-end. You want to go high end? Go to [SeaWorld restaurant] Sharks. This is fun food, drinks. .. You know, Caravale. It’s festival. It’s fun. So I wanted to have fun with it.

Q: What inspired the battered sushi from the Asian Market?

A: I also was a chef at a Japanese restaurant, and Japanese cuisine is my love. That’s my passion. Believe it or not, I’m Latino, and I just got into Asian cuisines. … Japanese is more of my heart. I love their culture, their cuisines and how modern and innovative they are. So that right there is a take on the classic. read more