It’s official – President Barack Obama, wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha will be vacationing here in Panama City Beach from Saturday August 14th to Monday, August 16th 2010.
This will only be the third time that the whole first family has come to the area on vacation – so like him or not, this is set to be a significant event in Panama City Beach history! Confirmed by the white house, the presidential visit is a personal trip with no business or public events planned. There’s some speculation about accommodations but a source states that the Obamas will be staying at the Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. Another source says the hotel location will not be within Panama City Beach limits.
We’ll have to wait and see what happens next weekend once the first family touches down in Panama City Beach, but PCBDaily.com will keep you updated with details as they come in.
Remember when Breakfast Point Marketplace was just a new Publix grocery store and then to the delight of just about everyone, a Dunkin’ Donuts? In a seemingly short space of time, this centrally located shopping and dining area has transformed from a relatively empty space to a busy center that now offers many conveniences and some of our favorite names. I can’t even remember what I did before this handy little plaza came to be – but I do know that I would be lost without it! Breakfast Point Marketplace is a wonderful addition to Panama City Beach, and now that most of its stores are open for business, here’s a rundown of what you can find there. READ MORE
It may still be a couple of months away but that doesn’t mean we can’t start getting excited about Northwest Florida’s premier event – especially now the musical acts have been announced!
The Seafood Wine and Music Festival in Panama City Beach will take place Friday, October 8th 2010 to Sunday, October 10th 2010. Now in its 3rd year since re-branding from the Indian Summer Music Festival, the festival is truly coming into its own and just keeps getting better and better. This year, visitors to the festival can expect more mouthwatering seafood, over 75 retail, antique and art vendors, local and international wines, crafts and activities, plus of course live HEADLINER music! This year’s acts are as follows: READ MORE
Looking for a fun way to spend this Thursday evening in Panama City Beach? Head to the Aaron Bessant Amphitheater for Pier Park’s free summer concert series, tonight featuring the upbeat sounds of Heritage! This popular Destin band provides a harmonious blend of reggae, island rock, funk and R & B – sure to lift your spirits and have you on your feet! READ MORE
If you attended last year’s fourth of July at Pier Park, you know it was an exciting, fun-filled, well-organized event. And this year’s extravaganza will be no different. The fun starts Sunday, July 4th at 5:00PM. Here is the schedule:
Grand Slam Welcome Party March
Watch over 200 Grand Slam World Series baseball teams parade through Pier Park.
5:00 p.m.
Kids Zone Opens READ MORE
If you are a fan of the Twilight saga and are gearing up for the latest installment “Eclipse” (due out in theaters tomorrow, June 30th) then you need to head to the BRAND NEW Panama City Beach library tonight at 6:30 pm!
The library is hosting a premiere party, where fans of all ages can mingle and share in the excitement that the latest movie is already bringing to the community and indeed the rest of the world! READ MORE
With all the media coverage, conflicting news reports and heartbreaking images surrounding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, it’s understandable to fear for the spectacular white beaches of Panama City Beach. Local residents and business owners are already feeling the effects without so much as a tar ball in sight, and concerned vacationers are left confused about whether the potential for oil will jeopardize this year’s hard-earned family vacation. While predictions are optimistic and the beautiful beaches of Panama City Beach remain clean and open for business, here’s a reminder that even away from the beaches, Panama City Beach is a great choice for a fun getaway or a relaxing break in our sun-drenched paradise. Here’s a list of reasons to come on down anyway. READ MORE
If you enjoy browsing books, then you simply have to check out the new Goodwill store at 13413 Panama City Beach Parkway. The store opened back on March 8th, 2010, and it wasn’t until I stopped by today to donate some clothes that I realized this store is a little different than Panama City Beach’s other Goodwill locations. This brand new store does not offer the usual smorgasbord of apparel, accessories and home furnishings, however it does provide an eye-popping selection of books to literally rival the new Panama City Beach library, plus a wide variety of used electronics.
The store is classed as a “niche thrift store dedicated to books and electronics” and is the first of its kind in Bay County. Store manager Margaret Thomas says the idea is to have Goodwill stores focused on certain items as a way to boost profit on donated items. The 1,500 square-foot-store has about 25,000 books on everything from local culture to computers, animal care to children’s fiction, plus all electronics are cleaned and repaired before hitting the showroom. You can’t beat it!
The new Panama City Beach Goodwill is located at 13413 Back Beach Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (850) 234-6106.
One of the best ways to show support for our beautiful beaches is to encourage the city council, county commission and other local organizations to pass a resolution opposing drilling off Florida’s Gulf Coast.
On April 30th, Walton Area Chamber of Commerce did just that and threw its support behind a proposed Constitutional Amendment banning the offshore drilling practices off Florida’s coast, which have the potential to threaten the economy of Northwest Florida. Here’s the resolution in its entirety.
Click to download larger file
After last month’s devastating fire at Panama City Beach’s Treasure Ship, there’s still no real news to speak of, or plans for the future of this beloved landmark. I spoke to Lisa Todd, Treasure Ship owner, who said that basically it’s just too early to know anything yet. Workers are currently removing the damaged sections of the structure to make sure that it is safe and that nothing is left precariously perching, plus carpets and ceilings are being ripped out.
The process will likely take months, and then engineers will look closely at the ship and make sure it is all structurally sound. Only then will a decision be made about the future of the Treasure Ship. “We’ve been here for 32 years and and it’s hard to let go” says Todd, “but life goes on.”
Members of the community wanting to help can do so by visiting the Treasure Island Marina and supporting the charter boats that are open and ready for business. In addition, from this Friday, May 21st, the gift shop will be open and selling Treasure Ship merchandise at 25-50% off.
