Things To Do In SW Florida

By STAN CHOE, Associated Press Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are ticking higher on Wednesday after a rally spurred by hopes for lower U.S. interest rates wrapped around the world.

The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, coming off its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 364 points, or 0.8%, as of 10:20 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was adding 0.3% to its own record set the day before.

Stocks got a lift from easing Treasury yields in the bond market, as expectations reach a virtual consensus that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rates for the first time this year at its next meeting in September. Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to borrow to buy houses, cars or equipment, though they risk worsening inflation.

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The online juggernaut said Wednesday that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns now have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery service on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 by the end of the year.

The move marks one of the most significant grocery expansions for the online retailer as Amazon introduces thousands of perishable food items into its existing logistics network. The expansion is expected to put more pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart, Kroger and Target, which all saw their shares take a hit in early trading Wednesday. read more

Sure, the calendar indicates there are 11 weeks until Halloween. But Florida’s theme parks say it’s about to get spooky in these parts.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the after-hours, extra-ticket event at Magic Kingdom, kicks off Friday night. And while that may seem scary early, demand is here. Five of the first seven Not-So-Scary nights — all in August — are sold out, including opening night.

There’s still time to get tickets and your act together. This one-stop list covers the big Halloween events at Orlando-area theme parks — the when, the where and the howl.

Main Street treats

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs on select nights between Aug. 15 and Oct. 31. The event starts after the park closes to regular day guests, and it requires its own admission ticket.

The evenings are filled with returning favorites such as Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade; “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular,” a fireworks and lasers presentation; and “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” a Sanderson Sisters stage show at the foot of Cinderella Castle. read more

It’s almost time for the last dance for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. The final chance to board Universal Studios theme park’s 16-year-old roller coaster will be Sunday.

Work on a successor attraction is evident in the space bounded by the Rockit, Universal CityWalk, Hard Rock Cafe and the building that was once home to Blue Man Group. There’s a construction wall, a pile of dirt and somewhat heavy machinery. Universal Orlando has not announced a new attraction yet.

Although rides have a limited life span, there haven’t been too many just plain ol’ removed from Orlando’s parks in the past five decades. There have been maintenance and upgrades along with retheming, such as Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster becoming Trollercoaster. And there have been complete track replacements at Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain and for the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure over the years.

We had to travel, figuratively, down Interstate 4 to come up with a decent list of bygone coasters. At the risk of becoming too sentimental, throw your hands up in the air for these thrill rides of yesteryear. read more

Five Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of Aug. 3-9, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Orange

Okayama Sushi and Hibachi at 2320 S. Kirkman Road in Orlando shut down on Aug. 7. Inspectors found 36 violations, 12 of which were high priorities. Those violations included rodent and roach activity, an employee failing to wash their hands before touching food, a stop-sale on food due to it not being in a wholesome condition and a missing vacuum breaker.

Inspectors returned twice on Aug. 8 keeping the restaurant closed on the first visit with 13 violations still, including two deemed high priority, but allowing it to reopen on the second and final visit, but still with 11 violations including time extensions given on two high priority violations involving the missing vacuum breaker and a sink spray hose that was too long.

Thai Cuisine at 5325 Edgewater Dr. in Orlando shut down on Aug. 6. Inspectors found 13 violations, two of which were high priorities for roach activity and operating without a business license. A second inspection occurred on Aug. 7. Inspectors found one violation, but it wasn’t a high priority. The restaurant met inspection standards. read more