Monday's Afternoon Update
Filmed in Florida: A dying industry sounds the alarm
“Filmed in Florida.” A simple tagline that has followed Oscar-winners, blockbusters and documentaries. And increasingly, is an endangered species. Florida has plenty to offer filmmakers, including state-of-the-art production facilities, natural backdrops that simply can’t be duplicated and, of course, world-class talent both in front of and behind the camera. So then why are big-budget content producers looking elsewhere to film? More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida gas prices drop, but downward trend may be coming to end
As Florida gas prices continue to drop after a record high, experts are warning the downward trend may be coming to an end. AAA says the average price of gas in Florida as of Sunday was $4.12 per gallon, a drop of 6 cents compared to less than a week ago. But after the price of oil rebounded last week, the auto group said the downward trend of gas prices may be leveling out. More from WKMG.
‘Wining and dining is big in Palm Beach Gardens’: How six new restaurants are turning sleepy resort town into a food paradise
Some of the most innovative, James Beard Award-winningest chefs in Florida are turning the shopping-and-golfing paradise of Palm Beach Gardens into a fine-dining capital. Over the past six months, talented chefs like Jeremy Ford (Stubborn Seed) and Lindsay Autry (The Regional), and big-name hospitality outfits like Major Food Group (New York’s Carbone) have muscled into the region locals call North County. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Sarasota Opera announces 2022-2023 season, including a U.S. premiere
Sarasota – Sarasota Opera announced next year's slate of performances, including some familiar works and two that have never been performed by the company. “During our 64th season, we look forward to introducing our audience to some important, lesser-known operas, including one that has never before been seen in a U.S. opera house,” said Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi, who is celebrating his 40th year with Sarasota Opera. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Ocala hemp company signs as a vendor with NASCAR
Ocala-based Greene's Reserve, a company that creates a hemp alternative to tobacco, is the first hemp company in history to sign with NASCAR as a vendor. Greene's Reserve, which sells hemp snuff in natural, wintergreen, menthol, mango and strawberry kiwi flavors, can now sell its products at events on several NASCAR-owned properties, including Daytona International Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. More from the Ocala Star-Banner.
Events
Here’s ‘the skinny’ on key goings-on during April’s Miami Tech Month
A bevy of Miami-area tech events are about to coalesce in April into what is becoming officially known as Miami Tech Month. Headlined by the annual eMerge Americas conference — postponed and suspended the past two years due to the pandemic — and featuring a massive Miami tech hiring fair, organizers are billing the stretch as having something for everyone. The month is being sponsored by blockchain technology group Algorand.
» More from the Miami Herald.
Out of the Box
UCF lab cooks up lunar dirt on Earth so humans can roam the moon
There’s an Oviedo warehouse just north of the University of Central Florida that looks normal enough on the outside, but inside its staff and students are creating something otherworldly. Alien dirt — or regolith simulant — is the main product of UCF’s Exolith Lab and is gaining huge demand as the next era of space exploration and projects like NASA’s moonshot Artemis missions prepare to blast off.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.