Things To Do In SW Florida

LPGA golfer Paula Creamer and former baseball player Shane Kennedy just flipped an investment property in Windermere for $6.175 million after adding a resort-style pool and an “entertainment wing.”

The 8,203-square-foot home on Worsham Court in Isleworth sold last week for more than double its 2022 purchase price, but the pair had spent millions on the renovation.

“It’s beautiful, very modern, lovely fixtures. They added over 2,000 square feet. Most of it was an entertainment wing on one side of the house,” said Michelle Corbin, Luxury Properties Specialist with Isleworth Realty.

Public records show the buyer is Francis Webster.

The entertainment area includes a bar and second kitchen near the outdoor kitchen close to the stunning pool.

“There wasn’t a pool before. The previous owners had filled all that in. [Creamer and Kennedy] took everything out and revamped it.” Corbin explained. “There is a fire pit in the center of the pool. It’s fun, we had 14 realtors in it at a brokers’ open.” read more

By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

PITTSBURGH — With restaurants closed and stay-at-home orders in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic, Americans responded in the only way they could at meal time.

We started cooking at home more than ever before, even though it was harder than ever to find some ingredients on store shelves. And all the while, grocery stores had to alter their occupancy levels and traffic patterns to allow for social distancing.

We also took up baking in record numbers, particularly of bread as friends shared sourdough starters or re-discovered long-forgotten bread machines in our basements, leading to flour and yeast shortages all over the country.

“With COVID I was able to get that love of cooking and baking back,” shared Peg Morrow of Ellwood City in an email. “My bread baking skills certainly improved with practice. I combed the internet and the Post-Gazette for new recipes trying new procedures never before attempted.” read more

Potterheads may well lose their minds when Epic Universe opens next month. Universal Orlando’s next theme park features a “Harry Potter”-inspired attraction that’s exhilarating, imaginative, and, at times, jaw-dropping.

The ride, dubbed Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, is one of the noteworthy Epic offerings that folks are experiencing as the park moves through its previews for key audiences, including Universal employees and, on Saturday, members of the media.

The attractions remain in “technical rehearsal” before Epic Universe opens to the public May 22. Without being too terrible of a spoiler, here are initial impressions of upcoming attractions.

Taking Umbridge

The storyline of Battle at the Ministry (part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic) revolves around the trial of Dolores Umbridge, a villainess in the “Potter” series, and riders see a lot of her (actress Imelda Staunton). They also see Harry, Hermione and Ron more than they do in Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride at Universal Studios theme park. read more

Stressed by rising home insurance prices?

Some insurers and agents are offering a way for clients to save substantial amounts of money off their insurance premiums, and data shows more homeowners are taking them up on it.

But experts warn that the strategy can be risky.

Sales of a form of insurance known as “dwelling/fire” is happening more and more in Florida, according to a South Florida Sun Sentinel analysis of quarterly insurance data released by the state Office of Insurance Regulation.

The increase is outpacing growth of the more traditional “all-perils” policies that most homeowners choose, the data shows.

Also known as “landlord insurance,” dwelling/fire policies are typically sold to owners of rental properties or second homes who only seek protection of the home’s basic structure from fire, hurricanes or other natural disasters. The most basic dwelling/fire policies do not include coverage for contents, water damage, loss of use, or liability in situations like dog bites or when visitors injure themselves on the insured’s property. In most cases, homeowners can add those coverages by purchasing them separately. read more

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO

NEW YORK (AP) — Sending children back to school in new sneakers, jeans and T-shirts is likely to cost U.S. families significantly more this fall if the bespoke tariffs President Donald Trump put on leading exporters take effect as planned, American industry groups warn.

About 97% of the clothes and shoes purchased in the U.S. are imported, predominantly from Asia, the American Apparel & Footwear Association said, citing its most recent data. Walmart, Gap Inc., Lululemon and Nike are a few of the companies that have a majority of their clothing made in Asian countries.

Those same garment-making hubs took a big hit under the president’s plan to punish individual countries for trade imbalances. For all Chinese goods, that meant tariffs of at least 54%. He set the import tax rates for Vietnam and neighboring Cambodia at 46% and 49%, and products from Bangladesh and Indonesia at 37% and 32%.

Working with foreign factories has kept labor costs down for U.S. companies in the fashion trade, but neither they nor their overseas suppliers are likely to absorb new costs that high. India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also got slapped with high tariffs so aren’t immediate sourcing alternatives. read more