Spring Break Really Picks up This Week

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Yesterday, amid overcast skies, fog and overall crumby weather, spring breakers partied in droves on the beaches of Panama City Beach. Drinking from hollow, plastic baseball bats, followed by spinning around in a circle ten times with the butt of the bat against your head, facing down, then challenged with hitting the empty can the beer originally came from ensures quick vomiting on our beaches.

I don’t typcially work on Sunday’s, but yesterday I wanted to capture the stunt act of the Red Bull Aerobatics Helicopter. My labors were in vain as the performance was delayed and still hadn’t happened behind Spinaker’s when I finally gave up at 2:30 pm.

This week is the largest spring break week of the season with approximately 2.1 million kids out on spring break across the country. Compared to last week’s 1.8 million, this week is expected to pick up a little. I’ll be quite interested to talk to hotelliers, etc. at the end of the season to see how the occupancy numbers faired. I’m sure it will be similar to the Country Crock analagy I gave last year.

If the plugin still isn’t working, here is the link to the pix.

Below is a list of the colleges on spring break this week, again, courtesy of TripSmarter.com:

March 16-20, 2009 (Mon-Fri)
College / University	Enrollment
Adams State College	2,308
Auburn University	24,137
Austin College	1,291
Brevard Community College	14,616
Brock University	14,443
California College of the Arts	1,670
California State University, Chico	14,500
Canisius College	4,857
Carthage College	2,930
Central Missouri State University	10,711
Claremont Mckenna College	1,135
Clemson University	17,409
Cleveland State University	15,706
Colgate University	2,750
Colorado State University, Fort Collins	26,884
Columbia University	24,820
Concordia University, Austin	1,400
Concordia University, Wisconsin	5,600
Cornell University	19,800
Delta State University	4,392
Des Moines Area Community College	27,000
Drake University	5,221
Earlham College	1,194
Eastern Illinois University	11,651
Edgewood College	2,500
Fairleigh Dickinson University	8,000
Florida College	600
Florida International University	38,614
Fordham University	16,009
Fort Hays State University	8,500
George Washington University	24,531
Georgia Southern University	16,841
Georgia Tech	18,747
Grambling State University	4,999
Grinnell College	1,555
Harvey Mudd College	746
Humboldt State University	7,773
Indiana University, Purdue	29,854
Indiana University of Bloomington	38,990
Iowa State University	26,160
Jackson State University	8,351
Jacksonville State University	9,000
John Hopkins University	15,000
Kansas State University	23,332
Keene State College	6,400
Lafayette College	2,403
Lakeland College	3,999
Lipscomb University	2,744
Madison Area Technical School	20,461
Manhattan College	3,000
Meharry Medical College	723
Montana State University	12,250
Morgan State University	1,221
Mount Holyoke College	2,100
Naval Academy	4,400
New York University	40,870
Northwest College	1,800
Ocean County College	9,351
Pitzer College	950
Pomona College	1,548
Princeton University	6,898
Purdue University	39,228
Rider University	5,790
Rutgers University at New Jersey, Camden	51,480
Rutgers University at New Jersey, Newark	10,246
Rutgers University at New Jersey	34,392
Saint Clair College	6,500
Samford University	4,400
Santa Fe Community College	14,500
Savannah State University	3,169
Scripps College	899
South Dakota State University	10,566
Texas A&M, Corpus Christi	8,355
Texas A&M	46,540
Texas Tech University	28,260
Towson University	18,921
University of Alabama, Birmingham	16,246
University of Alabama, Huntsville	7,100
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa	25,580
University of Alaska Southeast	2,800
University of Arizona	36,805
University of Arkansas	18,647
University of Central Oklahoma	15,753
University of Denver	11,117
University of Hartford	6,225
University of Houston	35,344
University of Idaho	11,251
University of Iowa	30,409
University of Kansas	29,260
University of Kentucky	27,209
University of Lethbridge	8,001
University of Maryland	36,014
University of Maryland Eastern Shore	3,297
University of Massachusetts	60,000
University of Miami	15,449
University of Minnesota	50,402
University of Mississippi	17,323
University of Nebraska	22,973
University of New Hampshire	13,547
University of New Haven	4,480
University of New Mexico	24,092
University of North Florida	15,619
University of North Texas	34,268
University of Northern Colorado	12,981
University of Northern Iowa	14,207
University of Oklahoma	29,721
University of South Alabama	14,003
University of South Florida	34,036
University of Southern California	33,389
University of Southern Mississippi	16,050
University of Tennessee	26,400
University of Texas, Austin	49,696
University of Texas, Dallas	14,480
University of Texas, Pan American	17,048
University of Texas, San Antonio	28,534
University of Texas, Tyler	6,150
University of Tulsa	4,165
University of Utah	29,192
University of West Georgia	10,677
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse	10,052
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee	28,356
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh	12,409
University of Wisconsin, Parkside	4,999
University of Wisconsin, Platteville	6,431
University of Wisconsin, River Falls	5,950
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point	8,552
University of Wisconsin, Stout	8,416
University of Wyoming	13,301
Utah Valley State College	23,750
Valdosta State University	11,280
Vanderbilt University	11,847
Virginia Commonwealth University	31,907
Washington State University	24,396
Western Illinois University	13,600
Wichita State University	14,298
Wilson College	868
TOTAL	2,130,258

Facing Foreclosure? Read On. . .

Recently, a single mother lost her job in a central Florida town and was about to lose her house, too. But then she made a seemingly simple request of the bank: Show me the original mortgage paperwork. And just like that, the foreclosure proceedings came to a standstill. This homeowner, and others like her around the country, are managing to stave off foreclosure by employing a strategy that goes to the heart of the whole nationwide mess.

During the real estate frenzy of the past decade, mortgages were sold and resold, bundled into securities and peddled to investors. In many cases, the original note signed by the homeowner was lost, stored away in a distant warehouse or destroyed.
Persuading a judge to compel production of hard-to-find or nonexistent documents can, at the very least, delay foreclosure, buying the homeowner some time and turning up the pressure on the lender to renegotiate the mortgage.

In recent interviews with The Associated Press, lawyers, homeowners and advocates outlined the produce-the-note strategy. Exactly how many homeowners have employed it is unknown. Nor is it clear how successful it has been; some judges are more sympathetic than others. A Tampa lawyer, whose Consumer Warning Network Web site offers the free court documents this woman used to file her request, has played a major role in promoting the produce-the-note strategy.

Conversely, the deputy executive director of the American Securitization Forum, a group that represents banks, law firms and investors, dismissed the strategy as merely a stalling tactic. He said homeowners are “making lawyers jump through procedural hoops to delay what’s likely to be inevitable.” In his opinion, the original note is almost always electronically retained and can eventually be found.

Although Judges MAY be willing to accept electronic documentation; and, lenders are sometimes allowed to produce other paperwork to establish they are the holder of a loan, assembling such documents, to a judge’s satisfaction, takes time, which to homeowners is the point.

A University of Iowa study last year suggested that companies servicing mortgages are often negligent when it comes to producing the documentation to support foreclosure. In the study of more than 1,700 bankruptcy cases stemming from home foreclosures, the original note was missing more than 40 percent of the time, and other pieces of required documentation also were routinely left out.

The first big success of the produce-the-note movement came in 2007 when a federal judge in Cleveland threw out 14 foreclosures by Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. because the bank failed to produce the original notes.

Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio endorsed the strategy in a fiery speech on the House floor during debate on the federal bank bailout last month. “Don’t leave your home,” she said. “Because you know what? When those companies say they have your mortgage, unless you have a lawyer that can put his or her finger on that mortgage, you don’t have that mortgage, and you are going to find they can’t find the paper up there on Wall Street.”

April Charney, head of foreclosure defense for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in Florida, said the strategy has been so successful for her that she now travels around the country to train other lawyers in how to use it. She said she has gotten cases delayed for years by demanding that lenders produce paperwork they cannot find.

“This is an army of lawyers getting out there to stop foreclosures so we can get to the serious business of creating solutions,” Charney said. “Nothing good is going to happen as long as we continue to bleed homeowners.”

So, what about that central Floridian single mother’s case? Well, she filed her “produce-the-note demand” last fall after the bank acknowledged that her original mortgage document had been lost or destroyed. Since then, there has been no activity on the foreclosure – no letters from the lender, and no court filings.

New Waterpark to Come to Panama City Beach

Well, this isn’t exactly breaking news, but I read the other day that a new waterpark may be coming to Panama City Beach. WMBB broke the story day before yesterday.

At the intersection of Clara and Front Beach Road, a new waterpark is being planned. The owners, Sterling, purchased the property in 2005.

The original article can be found here.

I was talking to a friend over lunch yesterday who had heard some “back-door” meetings and said that it will be more of an water-attraction, rather than a water-park. It is unclear at this point whether this new attraction will be real competition to the Shipwreck Island Waterpark just a half mile away.

Although I love Shipwreck Island, it will be very nice to see another attraction come into the area, this is sorely needed to supliment what we have. Nothing breeds advancement like alittle competition.

Miracle Strip Carousel coming to Pier Park

About two weeks ago, a buddy of mine and contributing author, Teddy Meeks emailed me sharing that he had a new venture that he was embarking upon. He has purchased, and is installing right now, the original carousel that was in the Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Pier Park.

Teddy was telling me that he had the idea of putting a carousel in Pier Park about a year ago, that’s when the search began. They looked all over with the employing the assistance of several brokers before finally finding one that looked promising.

This particular carousel had been in storage since 2004, and the listing included a picture. “This carousel looked familiar, I think it’s the one from Miracle Strip, the original from the 70’s,” Teddy said. “No way, that thing was auctioned off after the sale of the park!” said his wife.

Teddy said that after inspection, they were able to identify it as the original from 1970 that was used at Miracle Strip Amusement Park.

When they approached Pier Park with the idea, they were, of course, ecstatic. This is a great opportunity to blend a little nostalgia with the new. The historical aspect will be a great addition to Pier Park.

The carousel will open by April 1st.

Pier Park to Host 5k Sports Clinic on Saturdays

Well, I missed the gun this week, but fortunately for those of you that rely on me to keep you up to date, this particular event will run every Saturday for the next 4 weeks.

Pier Park is hosting a 5k sports clinic at the Aaron Bessant Park Ampitheater at 7:30 am. I guess you could still make it this morning if you wanted.

Details:

K SPORTS CLINIC AT PIER PARK
Runners welcome to train and learn with Freedom Sports

WHAT:
For five Saturdays in March and April, runners are invited to Pier Park for the 5K Sports Clinic hosted by Freedom Sports.

COST:
This event is free and open to the public

WHEN:
Saturdays at 7:30 a.m.
March 14, 21 and 28, 2009
April 4 and 11, 2009

WHERE:
Pier Park – Amphitheater
600 Pier Park Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32413

MORE INFO:
Felicia Cook, Director of Mall Marketing
(850) 236-9974 or simon.com

Autoweek brings New 2010 Mustang to Panama City Beach

Now, I’m not as much into the car scene as I was when I was younger, but I recognized it when I saw it. The new 2010 Mustang was spotted all over Panama City Beach yesterday, and I personally had a sighting on the main boardwalk area of Pier Park around 3 pm.

When I was younger, I could tell you the make and model of a car at night by seeing the headlights a couple hundred feet away, almost 100% of the time. I knew approximate year, make and model of almost any car, it was weird, kinda like an encyclopedia. In many cases I could tell you all about the car too. I always new the new cars coming out and I can attribute that knowledge to all of my dad’s old Autoweek magazines that held their permanent home on the mantle until they became a few weeks old.

I have since become somewhat disinterested in cars as my kids occupy all my free time, but I thought something was fishy when I saw a Mustang yesterday that I hadn’t seen before. Since Autoweek’s not been in my life, a few new models have snuck out on me over the years, but, this would have been pretty big. I didn’t think of it much more than that.

Fast forward to this morning, when I get a google alert that Autoweek is here in Panama City Beach driving the new Mustang, furthermore, the drivers had to stay in the Mariott because they were “too young” to stay in a beachfront condo, as they all required renters to be 25. So, what are a couple of pre-25 people doing driving a 2010 Mustang down to Panama City Beach? Writing about their experience of course!

AutoWeek spring break: The Mustang gets noticed in Panama City

Me, Lil Wayne, and Spring Break 2009 on Panama City Beach

Spring Break 2009 delivered Lil Wayne to our crystal white sand beaches today. Thousands, if not tens of thousands of people were in attendance to see who was described to me earlier as the biggest name in entertainment in the U.S. today.

What began as a foggy morning burned into clear skies by 8:30 am. When I took my boys to school today, visibility was 100 feet at best, actually quite scary to drive in. This afternoon at 1pm, when I arrived on the scene, the fog had returned, but was quickly dissipating.

In route to the show, traffic was backed up past Wal-Mart on Middle Beach Road. Moving slowly, we rolled our way to South Thomas Drive, dodging spring breakers and their automobiles. With music blaring and bass shaking my car, breakers waited anxiously for the car in front of them to advance, bringing them all closer to the single defining event that many of them had been looking forward to for weeks, even months.

After intense negotiations with peds and cars, I made my way into the parking area of the Royal American Welcome Center, just 1500 feet from the stage that Lil Wayne would perform from. After a few friendly handshakes and hellos I made my way on foot to where the action was. It was time to get uncomfortable and a little sun burnt. I’ve got to do better about remembering my bald spot next time.

Had we thought about it, we may have chosen a different route to the VIP deck as we encountered a different type of traffic jam – of the variant liking to packed sweaty bodies of hostile spectators awaiting their acclaimed performer, refusing to move or make way for the “camera man.”

“Take my picture,” said one. I hesitantly complied waiting for someone to snatch my pass and push his way through the crowd. I really was helpless, but I finally made my way up to the pavilion that served as a gateway to the Very Important Person area. I was apparently a very important person today, well at least for a little while.

“He’s with me,” said a friend as my credentials were questioned. Security was tight, and cops were everywhere. I should have fit right in, it seemed like everyone on staff had tons of tattoos on their arms. Maybe I don’t have enough.

Most of the time at events like this, I get free reign. I can usually go where ever I want, but today was a little different. I was limited because of the sheer size of the crowd. I guess I could have journeyed deep into the depths of the ocean of people had I been brave enough, but I admit, I liked the security of the Press Box. To say I was nervous and a little scared was an understatement; I don’t do too well in large crowds.

Everywhere I turned, spring breakers were drinking from bottles, cans, cups, beer bongs and just about anything else that would not leak. Some were adorned in apparel made from alcohol paraphernalia, and others wore next to nothing at all. There were girls on the shoulders of men and patterns shaved into the sides of heads. Everyone, it seemed, had tattoos and one guy I saw even had a collection of very painful looking Branding marks.

I was able to travel freely up and down a boardwalk that led from the VIP deck and back stage up until about thirty minutes before the first performer came on. “In about 10 minutes, you can’t go past this point,” said one MTV crew member. “No worries, man,” I replied, “just tell me what I can and can’t do, I’m just taking pictures.” I was told that the rules are only enforced by MTV but governed by the contracts they have with the performers.

The crowds were getting anxious and security and other staff were passing out waters and other non-alcoholic drinks to all those that asked in an effort to keep who they could hydrated. I was told to help myself, so I did, to an ice-cold water in a tiny little bottle.

I was actually surprised security was able to keep everyone contained as well as they did. Everywhere I looked, it appeared as if more spring breakers could spill over a barricade at any moment. “You have to get off the rail,” said one member of the security staff, “if it falls, it may knock them all down in this row.”

As the crowd began to roar, I returned to the comfort and safety of the VIP deck. “You can’t be up here,” said a security guy. “What?” I showed him my credentials. “You have to leave, NOW.” “What?!?, Why??” “Don’t make me call security.” “Ok, I’m leaving.” There was a mix up and MTV was freaking out. Turns out, the guy that was kicking me out was a friend of a friend, and he was following orders based on a huge miscommunication during a very roudy and chaotic time. The crowd was loud and there were apparently too many chiefs. All the media got kicked out, everyone with a camera. “Tell you what,” he said, “I’ll hook you up.” Minutes later, I was on the roof with the promo guys that helped put the whole show together, looking down on the crowd that I was so glad to leave behind.

I was told no less than three times that the roof was the best seat in the house. I saw no chairs, and I was hot as the sun beat down on me and the black roof cooked me from the feet up. What am I complaining about, it was only 75 outside – that’s nothing compared to what it could be.

From there I could see everything and would have done just about anything for a sweet telephoto lens, but oh well, perhaps someday when I have more money, or at least some money at all.

Lil Wayne was late, and the crowd was getting ancy. People were screaming, waving their arms at the opening act as a small crowd congregated around the 26 year old’s tour bus. From my vantage, I could see the security detail trying to figure out how to get Wayne in with as little exposure to the open crowds as possible. They moved the bus as close to the door as possible.

With the roar of the crowd, Lil Wayne burst out of his tour bus door and quickly ran inside with his posse in tow and quickly made it to the stage to put on an energetic performance. The mood of the crowd instantly changed when his appearance was made known. Wayne took no delay from his bus exit to begin his performance, immediately dancing across the stage to the rhythmic beat of what was surely one of his hot singles.

I didn’t stay for the whole show, I’d had my fill. The experience was enough to carry me home. The energy was overflowing and the crowd was getting what they came for. With thousands, or indeed tens of thousands in attendance this free concert could surely be categorized as a success in the heart and spirit of spring break. The sand was down there, the beach was warm and the kids were having fun. That’s what its all about, right?

For those of you that follow our Twitter updates, you were getting live action as it unfolded all day. If you are not following us on Twitter, get your head out of the sand and join in on the social fun. Sign up for Twitter today and follow us at Twitter.com/pcbdaily

Our New Airport Shows up on Airport-Technology.com

An article on our new airport has surfaced on Airport-Technology.com.

“Environmentalists filed six suits against the development but were assuaged by an undertaking from the airport authority supported by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to create a 40,000-acre (60-square-mile) conservation area around West Bay (9,609 acres of this were provided by the St Joe Company).

“Panama City-Bay County International is expecting to host 600,000 passengers a year by 2020.”

The West Bay Preservation Area will include 33 miles of untouched shoreline and 44 miles of creeks and tributaries.

The plans were approved by Bay County and the State of Florida in 2002 and specific plans for the area were approved in 2003. Following this agreement the FAA issued a final environmental impact statement in May 2006 and a record of decision for the move in September 2006. The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) issued their 404 permit in August 2007 allowing the construction to begin.”

Read the entire article here.

Rock, Paper Scissors Tournament to Award $20k

That’s right, you read the title right. Not only in there going to be a Rock, Paper Scissors tournament tomorrow at the Boardwalk Beach Resort, but they are giving away $20,000 to the winner to put towards their college tuition. There’s even an official League, the USA Rock Paper Scissors (USARPS) League and a blog, that has been covering the action so far here in Panama City Beach.

Here is the press release I found online:

AMP Energy, in conjunction with USA Rock Paper Scissors (USARPS) League, announced today they are launching the first-ever USARPS College ChAMPionship. Following preliminary rounds at 20 campuses across the country and 12 qualifying Spring Break events, co-eds will be given the chance to compete for $20,000 to be used towards college tuition at championship matches during mtvU’s Spring Break in Panama City Beach, FL, March 8 through 21.

Rock Paper Scissors, the popular two-person hand game, is a common arbiter of disputes, similar to flipping a coin or drawing straws. In 2005, the USARPS League was formed by Commissioner Matti Leshem as the governing body of the sport in the U.S. The League brought rules and structure to Rock Paper Scissors matches and continues to celebrate a game that has been played for centuries by people around the world. With students at rival schools like Syracuse and Rutgers, Alabama and Tennessee, and UNC and Maryland all vying for the title, the competition is sure to be intense.

“Students have counted on AMP Energy to give them an extra kick to make it through final exams,” said Maurice Herrera, Marketing Director, AMP Energy. “Now, one skilled Rock Paper Scissors player can count on AMP Energy to actually help pick up the tab for those exams. We look forward to awarding one lucky student who leaves Spring Break with the grand prize of $20,000.”

Thousands of students across the nation are expected to turn out for the competition. Qualifying matches are currently underway, leading up to campus finals where students will compete to win a Spring Break trip to Panama City Beach, FL to represent their school at the 2009 USARPS College ChAMPionship. At stake will be bragging rights and a check toward tuition, not to mention the inaugural USARPS College ChAMPionship title which will be awarded on March 18 following the final round of competition.

“They may have used their heads to get into college,” said USARPS League Commissioner Matti Leshem. “But they’re going to use their fists to pay for it!”

“Now more than ever, college students need a break,” said Ross Martin, Head of Programming, mtvU. “This year, mtvU’s Spring Break ’09 returns to Panama City Beach with incredible musical performances, the first-ever USA Rock Paper Scissors College ChaAMPionship, and now, thanks to AMP Energy, a shot to earn cash toward college tuition.”

Breakers get Drunk, Trash Our Beaches

The Tourist Development Council was appalled Tuesday at their regularly scheduled board meeting by the pictures of trash all along our beaches taken a mere 24 hours before. Andy Phillips rode about a 5 mile stretch Sunday and Monday cataloging how the College Spring Break crowd values our beaches. I was appalled as well, but not surprised.

Same argument, different year. I hear you businesses that rely on these numbers, but I just can’t help but be disgusted at how they completely disregard our environment. What’s that you say? A few bad apples don’t ruin the whole bushell? Well, it’s more than just a few, and they may not ruin our beach, but it sure is nasty, nasty indeed.

The TDC members were disgusted too.

As Phillips flipped through the slideshow, you could hear audience members ghasp. Some of the pictures were simply unreal in the concentration of the trash. Our white sand was peppered with the likes of blue, white and red beer cans, boxes and bottles.

One TDC member, Mike Bennett said “trash is good, it means there are people on our beaches.” Good point, Mike, but trash on our beaches is never good. If there is this much out there, then someone isn’t doing their job.

Kirk Lancaster, from KeepTheBeachClean.com was in attendance with 10 college kids from Michigan who care enough about the environment to actually spend their spring break time on the beach handing out plastic bags and picking up after their drunken peers. Brianna Drake shared in the meeting that she had expected to clean up a mess, but didn’t expect it to be this bad. One of the other things she was surprised to find was a complete lack of any sort of “keep the beach clean” marketing campaign. She expressed that the absence of such marketing probably reinforces to the college kids that they can just drop their trash where they please and that it will be cleaned up for them to use the beach again the next day. This is the wrong message and we have to be proactive in informing that we expect nothing less of visitors to our beach to clean up after themselves and put trash in its place.

Of course, this is all fine and dandy, but if the cans are overflowing, where are they supposed to put their empty cans and boxes? The TDC moved to immediately place an additional 400 blue trash receptacles along the beach, almost doubling the number along our shores. This will help, but isn’t enough. Also discussed was creating “stations” at each beach access that had basic information on keeping the beach clean and a trash bag dispenser that would be replenished daily, or as needed. These would also be placed at resorts with the bags supplied for the resorts to replenish.

Brianna explained that many of the breakers her crew encountered were more than willing to take plastic bags and use them.

Discussed also was fining resorts and hotels if they didn’t keep their stretch of the beach clean. “The Hiltons do a great job of keeping their beach clean at the Holiday Inn,” said Phillips, “everyday by 6 pm, when all the spring breakers are gone, their beach is clean.” Most of the other “hot-spots” are still filthy. The Holiday Inn has their own crews out all day doing maintenance clean-ups and does a final sweep in the evening.

Yonnie Patronis said in every high traffic beach he has visited around the world, there has always been crews throughout the day cleaning up the beach. “This isn’t just something we can do once a week, or even once a day, we’ve got to have someone out there all the time.”

Whatever the solution is, we’ve got to pump some more money into this. This isn’t a year ’round problem, it is concentrated during the spring break period, the highest traffic period being only two weeks long.

The motion was made and approved to increase the funding to the beach maintenance program from $150k to $250k and use the increase to add the additional 400 barrels, draft a proposal for a keep the beach clean campaign, notify properties that they are launching a new initiative and need cooperation, and begin an awareness campaign on the beach.

In other news from the meeting, the TDC is quite unhappy with YPartnership and their seemingly inability to create a “wow” campaign. Two months ago, I attended a Marketing Committee meeting and it was as if the Agency showed up to guide us to create the ideas. I was astonished at how little they had brought to the table.