Things To Do In SW Florida

By Amanda Barroso, NerdWallet

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The year has barely started, and my kindergarten parents group chat is already buzzing with summer camp anxiety. Registrations are opening and spots fill fast.

I’ve been doing research and here’s what I’ve learned: Camps aren’t cheap. But there are creative ways to work camp into your spending plan, this year and next.

The cost of summer camp

For many families with school-aged kids like mine, summer camps are a necessity. Schools are out and many parents work full-time. Summer camps fill an important child care gap.

But even for parents who are high earners, paying for camps can be a shocking expense. If you have more than one kid, paying for camp can seem almost impossible.

Affordable options do exist, says Henry DeHart, CEO of the American Camp Association, which oversees a national accreditation program for camp health and safety. read more

Orlando-based Darden Restaurants will be closing all of its remaining Bahama Breeze locations nationwide, ending the brand after 30 years.

Half of the 28 Bahama Breeze locations across the country will be converted into Darden’s other restaurant brands over the next 12 to 18 months and are expected to continue operating until any temporary closures are needed to convert them, the company said. The other 14 will be permanently closed as of April 5.

Here is a list of Bahama Breeze locations planned for closing and conversion. The company has not announced specific plans for the converted restaurants.

CLOSING RESTAURANT LOCATIONS

500 Center Blvd., Newark, DE

3590 Breckenridge Blvd., Duluth, GA

12395 SW 88th St., Miami, FL

10205 Rivercoast Drive, Jacksonville, FL

1251 West Osceola Pkwy., Kissimmee, FL

11000 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, FL

1540 Rinehart Road, Sanford, FL

19600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI

2000 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ

3309 Wake Forest Drive, Raleigh, NC

320 Goddard Blvd., King of Prussia, PA

6100 Robinson Center Drive, Pittsburgh, PA read more

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shut down two Central Florida restaurants for health code violations during the week from Jan 25-31.

Orange

Lily’s Creole Restaurant at 607 Pine Hills Road in Orlando shut down on Jan. 26. Inspectors found 16 violations, one of which was a high priority for more than 120 rodent droppings found behind the prep cooler, 50 on the perimeter of a wall room where a chest freezer is located and 20 behind the hot water heater. A second inspection occurred on Jan. 27. Inspectors found 11 violations, none of which were high priority. The restaurant met inspection standards.

Volusia

Iron Axe Bar & Grill, Inc. at 2842 S Ridgewood Ave. in South Daytona shut down on Jan. 30. Inspectors found 18 violations, five of which were high priorities. Those violations included more than 65 rodent droppings found around the restaurant, a stop-sale issued on food due to temperature abuse, an employee failing to wash their hands before putting on gloves to work with food and raw food stored next to ready-to-eat food. A second inspection occurred the same day. Inspectors found eight violations, none of which were a high priority. The restaurant met inspection standards. read more

Orlando-based Darden Restaurants announced Tuesday it would be closing all of its remaining Bahama Breeze locations nationwide, ending the brand after 30 years.

Half of the 28 Bahama Breeze locations across the country will be converted into Darden’s other restaurant brands over the next 12 to 18 months and are expected to continue operating until any temporary closures are needed to convert them, the company said. The other 14 will be permanently closed as of April 5.

Darden said it doesn’t expect the closures to have a material impact on its financial results.

“The company believes the conversion locations are great sites that will benefit several of the brands in its portfolio,” Darden said. “Going forward, the primary focus will continue to be on supporting team members, including placing as many as possible in roles within the Darden portfolio.”

The first Bahama Breeze location opened on International Drive in 1996 and was an instant hit. Its Caribbean-inflected menu includes such offerings as Yuca Cheese Sticks, Chicken Tostones and Coconut Shrimp, along with a selection of Mai Tais, Mojitos and Margaritas. read more

By CHAN HO-HIM

HONG KONG (AP) — China will ban hidden door handles on cars, commonly used on Tesla’s electric vehicles and many other EV models, starting next year.

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All car doors must include a mechanical release function for handles, except for the tailgate, according to details released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Monday.

Officials said the policy aims to address safety concerns after fatal EV accidents where electronic doors reportedly failed to operate and trapped passengers inside vehicles.

The new requirement will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. For car models that were already approved, carmakers will have until Jan. 1, 2029, to make design changes to match the regulations. read more