Things To Do In SW Florida

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

David Siegel, the founder of Orlando-based Westgate Resorts who fought the opioid epidemic after his daughter overdosed, died Saturday at age 89.

Siegel established Westgate Resorts in his garage in 1982 with its first property on an orange grove he owned in Kissimmee.

Over the course of the next several decades as CEO he grew it into it what the company called the largest privately held timeshare business in the world and one of the largest resort developers in the United States — boasting more than 13,500 rooms at 22 resorts across the country.

He retired as CEO in March and was succeeded by Jim Gissy, a close friend and self-described right hand.

Gissy said in a news release announcing Siegel’s death that he was committed to continuing his legacy at the company.

“David worked hard to leave us a company that will continue to preserve its family origins, and the significant resources and ambition to instill joy in the lives we touch through the hospitality we provide,” he said. “We know that we are all up to the task of driving forward the legacy of this visionary man and the company he founded.” read more