Year: 2008

Exaggerated College Spring Break Numbers in the Media

There is a problem with the College Spring Break economic impact figures that have been reported in the media this past season. I first noticed it when ABC affiliate, WMBB, aired a report on March 3rd. Reporter Mark Jenkins stated that “Tourist Development Council Commissioners are expecting an overall income of $100 million this month.” Based on my prior public records requests, I was already aware that the TDC/CVB had very little research to support their official 2007 estimate of $62 million in spending. Therefore, I was surprised to hear that they were now boosting their estimate by over 50%.

Then MSNBC on March 17th referenced the same $100 million in spending. In addition, MSNBC reported that PCB was expecting “about 350,000 students”. I already knew the TDC/CVB had no research to support their 2007 estimate of 250,000 students. And now they apparently were boosting this unsubstantiated estimate by 40%. Although MSNBC did not report who provided either of these estimates, I wrongly assumed that they had been provided by Andy Phillips, chairman of the TDC/CVB. My assumption was based on Phillips being the only PCB representative quoted in the article.

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Bay County should take the lead in educational innovation

JuliannBy: Juliann Talkington

Juliann Talkington is the administrator of the Panama City Renaissance School. Reach her on 850-215-8712 or jtalkington@pcrschool.org.

With the dismal state of primary and secondary education around the country, Bay County has a tremendous opportunity, if we are willing to lead.

According to Michael Hodges in Dangerous Erosion of Education Quality and Productivity, the Trends in International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) * shows advanced US high school seniors continue to score poorly in international science and math comparisons – near the bottom of all the countries tested.  In addition, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) * shows the general US student population scores well below the international average in math and science.  And worst of all, this trend has continued for many years.

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pcbdaily.com – Something New is Coming

I’ve been working on this for a while and finally was able to bring it live – The New PCBDaily.com!

Not only do we have a fresh new design, but I’ve also made the content more available with a new navigation at along the top. With all the content, this should help make it easier to find it.

Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be rolling out new features. A new feature that was just deployed was a new image gallery feature. I had had requests from some that could not access yahoo’s flickr site for the images, so I switched to a self-hosted photograph system that should alleviate this problem. Also, I added a sidebar item that shows some of the most recent pictures.

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Possible Toll Road Planned from Dothan to Panama City Airport

A Chipley online news publication, FosterFollyNews.com, reported of a possible toll road traveling from Dothan, Alabama through Washington County and down to the new airport. The road will eventually connect to Montgomery, Alabama.

This project is under discussion and will be addressed at a public meeting at the Washington County Annex as proposed by a group called Focus Thursday May 15th at 9am. With initial discussions being held in April, no official route was discussed nor commitment timelines.

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New Stores Opened in Pier Park

We’ve been waiting for it, and now it is here. The rest of Pier Park is opened, including Borders, Aeropostale, American Eagle, and more!

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2008)- Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate, will celebrate more exciting retailer and restaurant openings from late April through May 1 at Pier Park, located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).

New anchors and specialty shops scheduled to premiere include the following:

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Pier Park Names Felicia Robinson Cook Director of Marketing

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2008) – Simon Property Group announces the appointment of Felicia Robinson Cook as director of marketing for Pier Park.  Cook boasts more than 20 years of experience in marketing and previously served as the area director of business development for two Simon properties, Independence Center located in Independence, Mo., and West Ridge Mall located in Topeka, Kan.

As the director of marketing, Cook will oversee day-to-day operations and supervise all aspects of the center encompassing budgeting, financial analysis, tenant relations, lease administration, community involvement and marketing.

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Pier Park to Host 'Fun in the Sun' Street Fair This Weekend

– Event Expected to Draw Thousands of Thunder Beach Motorcycle Enthusiasts as Additional Stores at Pier Park Open –

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL (May 1, 2008) – Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s premiere retail, dining and entertainment venue located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road) is pleased to announce it’s first annual ‘Fun in the Sun’ Street Fair, May 1 -4, which will coincide with the semi-annual Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally and the opening of approximately 30 new stores at Pier Park.

Billed as “The Most Biker Friendly Free Rally in the United States,” the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is truly a community event and as the area’s newest attraction, Pier Park is anxious to be a part of the Spring 2008 Rally!

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Fed Cut Interest Rates .25% Wednesday

In what is likely to be the last rate cut – baring any more financial market blowups – in a while, The Fed cut the federal funds rate another quarter point Wednesday from 2.25% to 2%.  The rate 5% as recently as September.

The statement “downside risks to growth remain” was removed from the Fed statement indicating to many analysts that we should start to see signs of recovery and that we are showing fewer signs of a downturn.

“They haven’t closed the door to further cuts, but they’ve shut it part way,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Economy.com. “They’re saying they believe they’ve done enough.”

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Pier Park Nears Completion

With many more stores set to open right around the corner, crews tirelessly work to get the rest of Pier Park ready for the masses. I was there yesterday morning and more signs are up with the interiors of retailers such as Hollister, American Eagle and Borders Books and Music are quickly taking shape.

I got to peek inside Borders, and it looks done to me. I was told that it was one of five of their largest stores nationwide. They are recruiting management from within their ranks from around the country to come down and take over. They open on May 2nd.

Among the retailers just announced are Olive Garden, Great American Cookie Company, Maurices, Famous Footwear, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Blender A Fusion Clothing Store, The Eye Gallery, Carter’s Children’s Apparel, Shimmering Seas Jewelery & Gifts, Cute N’ Sassy Children’s Boutique and Things Remembered.

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