Things To Do In SW Florida

By Tommy Tindall, NerdWallet

The iPhone 17 models are out and they look slick. I’m not going to lie: I want an iPhone 17 Pro Max and I want it now. I’m kind of feeling the iPhone Air, too (but wonder if I’d break it).

The problem is I really don’t have room in my budget for a new tech toy at this juncture. Maybe you can relate. The everyday stuff — like electricity, groceries, gas and water — is stretching my family to the literal brink. My season of life includes three small kids, a leaky toilet and so many loads of laundry that our latest quarterly water bill was closer to four figures than I ever thought possible.

Plus, my iPhone 13 Pro Max, which I bought new in 2022, is still as snappy as it was the day I peeled off the plastic film. So how can I justify the cost of a new one? Well, I personally can’t right now, but things might be different for you. Looking at what’s new and where you are with your current phone will help you decide.

What’s new with the iPhone 17 lineup

Apple announced four new models at its annual iPhone event Sept. 9. The iPhone Air looks impossibly thin and the Pro models finally have a fresh new look. read more

Another Florida-bound cruise ship had its first sea trial over the weekend as Celebrity Xcel hit the ocean off the coast of France.

The fifth of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class ships went through functional maneuvers near the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France on Saturday helmed by Capt. ‘Kirk’ Kyriakos Matragkas.

Its inaugural sailings this November will bring it to Port Everglades on seven-night Caribbean itineraries before heading back to Europe next summer to sail the Mediterranean.

Just like its sister ships, Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent, the vessel has the same design including the Magic Carpet — an exterior elevator platform that acts primarily as an innovative way for passengers to disembark and reboard the ship when it tenders at ports of call, but also doubles as an entertainment and dining venue.

The cabins will once again feature the popular Infinite Verandah staterooms in which the balcony is part of the cabin.

One unique thing about this new ship will be its capability to use methanol as a fuel source, the first for any ship in the Royal Caribbean Group family of cruise lines and an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. read more

By DEE-ANN DURBIN, Associated Press

McDonald’s said Monday it plans to invest $200 million over the next seven years to promote regenerative agriculture practices on cattle ranches.

The Chicago burger giant said the investment was its largest to date in support of regenerative agriculture in the U.S. The company has also funded regenerative projects on potato farms in Canada and Europe.

“As a brand that serves more than 90% of Americans every year, we recognize the responsibility we have to help safeguard our food systems for long-term vitality,” Cesar Piña, McDonald’s chief supply chain officer for North America, said in a statement.

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Universal Orlando has confirmed that contruction work moving forward in the Lost Continent area of its Islands of Adventure theme park. Details about what might go there and in what specific timeframe remain unrevealed.

“In the coming months, there will be construction activity in Lost Continent as part of site planning to ensure the area is ready for any future developments” is the official stance from the company.  A demolition permit has been filed with the city of Orlando.

Lost Continent is one of the original lands of IOA, which opened in 1999. Two of its primary attractions were “The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad,” a stunt and stage show that closed in 2018, and Poseidon’s Fury, a walk-through experience with special effects, which closed in 2023. Both structures currently remain standing.

In the beginning, Lost Continent also was the home of the Dueling Dragons roller coaster, which later was absorbed by the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The land, sandwiched between Seuss Landing and Wizarding World, now includes a handful of merchandise stores; Fire-Eater’s Grill, a counter-service restaurant; and Mythos, a full-service restaurant that looks over the park’s central lagoon. read more