Things To Do In SW Florida

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

Wall Street notched more milestones Thursday after gains in technology stocks helped push the market to another all-time high.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, lifting the benchmark index to its second record high in a row. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed an early slide and gained 0.2%, enough to move past its record high set last Friday.

The Nasdaq composite closed 0.5% higher, finishing just short of its all-time high set two weeks ago.

About 55% of the companies in the benchmark S&P 500 closed lower, but gains in the technology and communication services sectors offset losses elsewhere in the market. Broadcom rose 2.8%, Amazon added 1.1% and Google parent Alphabet finished 2% higher.

“We’re seeing a continuation of a theme that has been in place really all year long, and that is communication services, information technology, really the areas that are surrounding this incredible capital expenditure cycle, have been the primary beneficiaries,” said Bill Northey, senior investment director at U.S. Bank Asset Management. read more

Boards of directors

Rick Cardenas, president and chief executive officer of Darden Restaurants, was appointed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts board of directors.

Joseph Conte, co-founder of Consulate Health Care, was appointed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts board of directors.

Ryan DeVos, managing director of the Orlando Magic, was appointed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts board of directors.

Ted Edwards, founder of Law Office of Ted B. Edwards, P.A., was appointed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts board of directors.

Leila Jammal, an executive vice president of NV5 Global Inc., was appointed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts board of directors.

Tony Jenkins, market president for Florida Blue in Central Florida, was appointed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts board of directors.

Marc McMurrin, president and chief executive officer of the Ginsburg Family Foundation, was appointed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts board of directors. read more

Q: I am 67 and have not applied for my Social Security benefit yet. My wife applied for her benefit at age 70. I am not sure that waiting until 70 is best for me and my wife. I want to make sure that waiting until 70 is best, taking into consideration my benefit and potential spousal and survivor benefits.

A. Good question. First, let’s review the increase in benefit you are entitled to if you wait until age 70 to file. After you reach your full retirement age (FRA), you can postpone filing for your Social Security benefit until age 70. You can change your mind any time you choose, from your FRA to age 70. By postponing applying for your benefit, you are increasing the amount by 8% per year until age 70. There is no advantage in postponing applying after 70.

If you are healthy and expect a long life, then postponing your benefit can be a good choice. Basically, when you make the decision to postpone applying for a benefit, you are making the assumption that the additional income you will receive after 70, will outweigh the income you could have received if you applied for your benefit at your FRA. read more

Chapter 7

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

CDC Home Services LLC, 14855 Cableshire Way, Orlando. Filed: Aug. 18. Assets: $660. Liabilities: $377,252. Major creditors: Carlene B. Harris, Orlando, $230,593; United Midwest Savings Bank, Columbus, Ohio, $121,909; Chase Card Services, Wilmington, Del., $12,647. Creditors meeting: Oct. 2.

Chapter 11

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for reorganization and protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Florida Eco Electric LLC also known as Kenkay Solar, 1495 S. Volusia Ave., Suite 201, Orange City. Filed: Aug. 11. Assets: $590,764. Liabilities: $370,624. Major creditors: Level Construction & Roofing LLC doing business as Level Roofing & Solar, Winter Garden, $110,000; PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, $46,000; Consolidated Electrical Distributors Inc. doing business as Greentech Renewables, Orlando, $37,703. Creditors meeting: Sept. 15. read more

By BARBARA ORTUTAY

Online age checks are on the rise in the U.S. and elsewhere, asking people for IDs or face scans to prove they are over 18 or 21 or even 13. To proponents, they’re a tool to keep children away from adult websites and other material that might be harmful to them.

But opponents see a worrisome trend toward a less secure, less private and less free internet, where people can be denied access not just to pornography but news, health information and the ability to speak openly and anonymously.

“I think that many of these laws come from a place of good intentions,” said Jennifer Huddleston, a senior technology policy fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. “Certainly we all want to protect young people from harmful content before they’re ready to see it.”

More than 20 states have passed some kind of age verification law, though many face legal challenges. While no such law exists on the federal level in the United States, the Supreme Court recently allowed a Mississippi age check law for social media to stand. In June, the court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online, ruling that adults don’t have a First Amendment right to access obscene speech without first proving their age. read more