Things To Do In SW Florida

Global stocks took a hit recently amid fears that the U.S. economy was faltering.

A weaker than expected jobs report, with a rising unemployment rate, was enough for some investors to come to their own conclusions about a coming recession – even if many economists didn’t share the same concerns.

Goldman Sachs raised its odds of a recession occurring in the next year from 15 percent to 25 percent. Some economists have theorized that the economy will have a soft landing, or a slowdown that doesn’t bring about an outright recession, or hard landing.

A complication for economists is that the labor force grew. More Americans entered the job market and looked for work. Those who are on the sidelines and looking for work are officially counted amid the ranks of “unemployed” in federal data, thereby boosting the unemployment rate.

Q: If there’s a U.S. economic slowdown, will it be a hard or soft landing? 

Economists

Ray Major, economist

Soft: The recent slowing of the economy evidenced by layoffs, reduction in consumer spending and the correction in the stock market all point to a looming economic correction. The real question is how willing and how quickly the Fed will use monetary policy to correct the economy in order to avoid a hard landing. In the past five years, it has successfully used the tools at their disposal to stave off a recession at any cost and seem to be poised to do it again. read more

Health care

Nicholas Abrahams was appointed president and chief executive officer of the Winter Park Health Foundation.

Law

Family law attorney Christina Medina has joined The Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group, Orlando, as an associate.

Public relations

Sade Teel has joined the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as public relations/show manager.

Other

Kelly Astro was appointed senior vice president of community impact at Heart of Florida United Way, Orlando.

JahKiya Bell was appointed senior advisor to the president and chief executive officer at Heart of Florida United Way, Orlando.

Heath Wells was appointed vice president of community impact at Heart of Florida United Way, Orlando.

Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.

Chapter 7

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

J & L Utility Construction Inc., 3765 Vines Lane, Mount Dora. Filed: Aug. 1. Assets: $87. Liabilities: $932,629. Major creditors: Small Business Association, Department of Treasury, Portland, Ore., $706,137; On Deck, South Jordan, Utah, $48,000; HDD Supply, Wesley Chapel, $29,773. Creditors meeting: Aug. 27.

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:

Star Air Conditioning & Heating LLC, 600 N. Thacker Ave., Suite C-14, Kissimmee. Filed: Aug. 8.  Assets: $60,108. Liabilities: $633,857. Major creditors: U.S. Small Business Administration, Atlanta, $250,000; Internal Revenue Service, Philadelphia, $180,000; Knightsbridge Funding, New York City, $59,400. Creditors meeting: Sept. 9.

Victoria Edward Spa & Wellness Center LLC, 1186 Tree Swallow Drive, Winter Springs. Filed: Aug. 9. Assets: $217,172. Liabilities: $670,447. Major creditors: Small Business Administration Disaster COVID-19 EIDL, Washington, D.C., $159,700; Bay First Financial, Seminole, $134,798; Simply Funding, New York City, $68,383. Creditors meeting: Sept. 9. read more

Aerospace powerhouse Lockheed Martin announced Thursday it plans to acquire Florida-based satellite manufacturing company Terran Orbital.

The Boca Raton-based company recently expanded satellite production out of California after a plan to build them in Brevard County fell through.

“We’ve worked with Terran Orbital for more than seven years on a variety of successful missions,” said Lockheed Martin Space President Robert Lightfoot in a press release. “Their capabilities, talent and business momentum align with Lockheed Martin Space’s strategic plans – and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to our team. Our customers require advanced technology and even faster product development, and that’s what we can achieve together.”

Lockheed Martin, based in Littleton, Colorado, has several Florida-based aerospace facilities including offices in Orlando, the Space Coast and Palm Beach County.

The company stated the acquisition of Terran Orbital aims to expand its advanced satellite manufacturing and responsive space capabilities, especially with Terran Orbital’s footprint in both the aerospace and defense industries. read more

SeaWorld Orlando is again rolling out its Fun Card deal, although this time, a purchase allows admission to the theme park for the rest of 2024 and all of 2025.

The current Fun Card price is $137.99. A version that also includes Aquatica water park is $198.99. A SeaWorld news release says that price is available for a limited time, but it does not indicate an end date. Single-day tickets to SeaWorld are now selling on its website for $68, although that offer ends Aug. 18.  The regular one-day price is listed as $139.99.

The Fun Card comes with block-out dates. There are seven sprinkled through the end of 2024 for SeaWorld and 19 days in 2025 that are no-gos.  The Fun Card does not include parking at the parks. The deal is valid for residents of the U.S. and Canada.

The park also announced its event lineup for next year, which includes Seven Seas Food Festival, Bands, Brew & BBQ, January’s SeaWorld Inside Look experiences, Guy Harvey Weekends, Halloween Spooktacular and others. (Fun Card does not include Howl-O-Scream, an after-hours, extra-ticket Halloween event.) read more