Things To Do In SW Florida

George E. Johnson, at 97, is a rich man. He’s been a rich man since the 1960s. He’s owned yachts, cattle ranches and a home in France. Years ago, he took a French lover; they divorced after a short marriage. He lived in Glencoe much of his life. He had a tennis court and swimming pool, and when his first wife came home from Neiman Marcus carrying thousands of dollars’ worth of designer clothes, he blinked and showed concern, but Joan, his wife, said they had money, what was the worry? Johnson was a rich man.

His mother nicknamed him “The Rich Man” before he actually was a rich man. He acted like one. His mother left Mississippi at 18 and arrived in Chicago as part of the Great Migration. He grew up near Bronzeville and took small jobs as early as age 6. He waited tables, washed cars, swept floors, shined shoes. After he made a little cash, he took horseback riding lessons around Hyde Park. He bought wide-legged jodhpurs and liked to walk around wearing them. He would also carry a riding crop, just because. read more

Universal Orlando has introduced its next phase for ticket sales for Epic Universe, its theme park that’s scheduled to open May 22.

The bulk of the new options are for Florida residents and include three days of parks — but just one day at Epic Universe. One of the choices includes, for the first time, a breakfast inside the newest installment of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter inside Epic.

Now available are passes that allow two days at Universal Studios theme park, Islands of Adventure or Volcano Bay water park, and then one separate day at Epic. Park-to-park powers are sold as an add-on and do not include park-hopping into Epic Universe.  Prices vary with date. A three-day ticket with the Universal Studio, IOA and Epic, for example, costs between $479 and $580.99. The first date of use determines the total.

All prices for all combinations can be seen before purchasing on Universal Orlando’s official website.

Florida residents can also get Epic tickets with the “create your own” vacation package that has a four-night stay at an on-property Universal Orlando hotel and some early park admission privileges.  Pricing varies with dates and selected hotels. read more

NASA cut a deal with the Trump administration that may stave off sweeping layoffs seen across other federal agencies but still will see about 900 fewer employees through a buyout plan, the agency said.

A statement released Thursday by NASA said about 5% of its roughly 18,000 employees accepted an offer to leave from President Trump’s Deferred Resignation Program.

In addition to losing employees to that voluntary buyout program, many other federal agencies have also been instructed to fire all of their probationary employees. But NASA apparently will be spared that fate, potentially saving hundreds of jobs.

Instead the space agency’s probationary employees will be evaluated based on merit and allowed to enter the resignation program voluntarily, which only a small number have so far, the agency said.

CNN quoted sources estimating that 1,300 of NASA’s employees are probationary.

The deal was made by working with the Office of Personnel Management, which has been heading up rounds of layoffs across the federal government. read more

Universal Destinations & Experiences has unveiled the franchises it will utilize at the upcoming Universal Kids Resort in Texas. Universal Orlando fans will feel some familiar vibes as the mini-theme park’s lands will showcase environments based on Minions, Shrek, Puss in Boots, Trolls, Gabby’s Dollhouse, SpongeBob SquarePants and Jurassic World.

Universal Kids Resort, set to open next year in Frisco, Texas, was designed for families with young children.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to bring these iconic stories to life for kids and families to experience, interact with and play together,” Sarah Gibbon, vice president and executive producer for Universal Creative, said in a corporate news release.

Details about the park’s shows and attractions have not been shared, but Friday’s news release covered some of its atmospheres. Visitors may visit the Minions in a water-based vacation retreat or SpongeBob’s underwater neighborhood. There will be a music festival setting for Trolls and a swampy playground with Shrek. read more

Gov. Ron DeSantis is reshaping a state board that will play a big role in Central Florida’s theme park future, installing a new chairwoman and two new board members on the panel overseeing government services for Walt Disney World.

The state’s Central Florida Tourism Oversight District  is working with Disney on a development plan expected to bring a $17 billion investment to the region in the next 10 to 20 years.

Alexis Yarbrough, chairwoman of the Broward College District Board of Trustees, has been tapped to lead the district’s Board of Supervisors.

DeSantis also appointed two Orlando businessmen — John Gilbert, executive managing director at Stream Realty Partners, and Scott Workman, president and CEO of Workman Travel.

The two remaining board members are Clearwater attorney Brian Aungst Jr. and Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota County School Board member and Moms for Liberty co-founder whose term expires Wednesday.

Ziegler and the governor’s office did not respond to messages Thursday seeking clarification on her status. read more