Beach Tennis is Here

Beach Tennis is here, along with the pros to help you figure out how to do it. Behind Sharky’s Beach Club two beach tennis courts are set up with a station to “rent” the racquet from along with deflated tennis balls. Rent is free and equipment is provided by sponsors and is actually quite nice.

The concept behind beach tennis is to provide a fun beach-oriented sport that is easy on the knees and cinch to learn.

Here are the rules:

Court dimensions are 30 by 60 feet with the net at a height of 5’10”.
Beach tennis is only played in the doubles format, no singles.
Scoring is 15 – 30 – 40 with no-advantage.
At deuce, receiving team chooses which player will receive the serve.
Only one hit per side. Unlike volleyball, no setting up your partner for the kill.
Only one serve allowed per point. If the serve hits the net, goes over and lands in bounds a “let” (do over) will be played. If the serve hits the net, goes over and lands out of bounds the serving team loses the point.
Serves must go cross-court.
Players change ends at odd game totals.
Touching the net in any way or breaking the plane of the net – that is, reaching over the net with your racquet, even on the follow through – will result in a loss of the point.
Each match consists of one eight-game pro set. The match must be won by two games (e.g. 9-7). If the match score is tied at 8-8, a 12-point tennis tiebreaker (first team to 7 points wins) will be played to determine the winner.
A ball that strikes the line is considered in bounds.

If you want to play, it is free for anyone and everyone. You should get out there and put your skills to the test.

Celebrity Chef Tim Creehan to Host Destination Chef Show in PCB

Appearing now on a computer screen near you is a virtual cooking show offering valuable cooking, travel, dining tips from attractive hot spots such as Key West, Myrtle Beach and New Orleans. Think of it as taking a delicious trip to your favorite location before your actual vacation or next business trip.

DCS by Fisher & Paykel has partnered up with the Tourist Network to bring this impressive multi-media experience to travelers and dining and cooking connoisseurs with the TV show Destination Chefs and its new Web site DestinationChefs.com.

DCS by Fisher & Paykel’s high-end cooking appliances are showcased in Destination Chefs, a celebrity chef TV series hosted by celebrity chef Tim Creehan. The show travels to attractive resort and cultural destinations and features the top chefs in hot markets, including Atlanta, New Orleans, Key West, Myrtle Beach, the Florida Coast (Panama City, Pensacola, Destin) and the Hamptons.

The partnership with Destination Chefs will enable DCS to further expand its reach in the Southern market, which is already a strong region for the brand, said Laurence Mawhinney, VP for sales and marketing for Fisher & Paykel Appliances.

“We see our participation in this venture as a great opportunity to continue to showcase the performance of our high-end professionally styled cooking equipment both online and in these specific regional TV markets,” said Mawhinney.

DCS indoor studio kitchens and outdoor grills are put to the test by Destination Chefs’ guest celebrity chefs who display their cooking techniques and expertise in an entertaining way for a home audience. The 30-minute episodes are colorful, upbeat and also educational. Food and wine enthusiasts can savor expert instruction in the preparation of classic and adventurous dishes and wine selection. Viewers are also afforded a rare behind the scenes look at restaurants located in their favorite resorts and destinations. More than a cooking show, Destination Chefs also explores local flavor and area hot spots, presenting a colorful look at what truly defines the essence of “The Good Life” in each destination featured.

Viewers never have to miss an episode, as each show is permanently archived and available on demand at http://www.destinationchefs.com. The show’s Web site, which went live in mid November, also provides detailed recipes, chef bios, and cooking tips from Creehan and the guest chefs in the forums. Visitors to the site can ask their favorite chef questions, upload their own recipes, rate the shows and share tips with a community of fellow food enthusiasts. The site also features a special section devoted to outdoor grilling that encourages visitors to upload photos of their custom DCS outdoor kitchens.

The chef shows were already a popular feature on DestinationChef.com’s affiliate site TripSmarter.com receiving more than 100,000 views per year.

To find out more about the DCS by Fisher & Paykel brands, please call 888-936-7872 or you can also get more information at http://www.dcsappliances.com.

Grills Gone Wild is Back, To Cook 1,000's LBS of Meat for Charity

The success of Grills Gone Wild 1 was so immense they decided to do it again, for a different charity this year.

The original Grills Gone Wild, meant to be a tongue in cheek stab at the Girls Gone Wild garbage our area was going through last year with Joe Francis, was a refreshing positive twist our area surely needed. The goal was to raise money for Aaron Nichols, son of Gary Nichols, the band director of Arnold High School. Aaron was injured and paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. When insurance money ran out, the Nichols family still had a little more than $20,000 in improvements they needed to make to their home to accommodate their son. The event raised $24,000 and provided the much needed modifications to the house.

The original goal was to sell 500 tickets last year for $12 a piece, but the event “mushroomed” as Alan Graham put it and benefited from a turnout that was much greater than expected. “We ended up cooking ten 200 pound pigs and 180 Boston Butts and fed 2,500 people.”

There was such a demand for this again, that they actually sought out a charity to help this year so they could bring the party back to the beach. Benefiting this year is the new Miracle League baseball field currently being constructed at Frank Brown Park. The field is padded to prevent injury, the bases are painted on, and the dugouts will all be wheelchair accessible. Proceeds from Grills Gone Wild 2 will go towards building the fence for the field, which costs about $20,000.

The event is sponsored by Counts Real Estate and The Rotary Club. “All the meat has be to purchased up front,” Graham said, “we’re trying to sell the tickets up front, but what we don’t get sold, we’ll come up with the money to buy the meat.” If you’re a griller, you can still enter for the Boston Butts, the chicken and the rib category, but if you want to cook a pig, you’ll have to wait until next year as they’ve already been ordered.

“The pigs take about 22 hours to cook,” said Graham, “we cook ’em low and slow.” The best way to cook pork is at a low temperature for a long time, that way the meat just falls right apart. They will have the grills set up around the pavilion by the playground and pool at Frank Brown Park with tables set up inside where the basketball courts are and outside around the pavilion in the lawn. The party will start with the grills firing up early Friday afternoon March 13th and food will be served all afternoon Saturday March 14th.

Tickets can be purchased at any Counts Real Estate Office, by contacting any Rotary Club member or at the event. Tickets are being sold for $10 this year. If you want to grill the cost is $100 per grill.

You should come out and support this great cause and hang with the community. For more information, contact Alan Graham at 850 896 2648.

Women's Fastpitch Softball Tournament coming to Frank Brown Park

From March 5-8, Panama City Beach will host a women’s collegiate fastpitch softball tournament at Frank Brown Park. The tournament will feature 16 teams from across the country to compete in a full weekend of tournament play.

What: NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic
Women’s Collegiate Fastpitch Softball Tournament

When: Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 8th

Where: Frank Brown Park, Panama City Beach

**Event is Open to the Public**

Admission Prices

Daily Passes
Adult $8
Student $6
Youth Groups (10 or More) $5 ea.

Tournament Passes

Adult $20
Student $15

Who: Teams Participating:
Montgomery Senators-Montgomery, Alabama
Bethel College Pilots-Mishawaka, Indiana
Biola Eagles-La Mirada, California
Faulkner University Eagles-Montgomery, Alabama
IUS (Indiana University Southeast)Grenadier-New Albany, Indiana
Lee University Lady Flames-Cleveland, Tennessee
LCU (Lubbock Christian University Lady “Chaps”-Lubbock, Texas
Milligan College Buffaloes-Milligan College, Tennessee
University of Mobile Lady Rams-Mobile, Alabama
Morningside College Mustangs-Sioux City, Iowa
Notre Dame College Falcons-South Euclid, Ohio
Olivet Nazarene University Tigers-Bourbonnais, Illinois
Shorter College Hawks-Rome, Georgia
Walsh University Cavaliers-North Canton, Ohio
William Carey Crusaders-Hattiesburg, Mississippi
William Penn Lady Statesman-Oskaloosa, Iowa

Frank Brown Park is the premier sporting facility in Panama City Beach offering more than 200 acres of recreation.

About NFCA:
The NFCA is the official organization for educating softball coaches and the public in the game of fastpitch softball, including coordinating the relationship between softball team membership and other educational endeavors through the development of softball in all its aspects as an amateur sport, including communication of new ideas and discussion of issues involving softball and education.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-03-03

Holy moly it is cold outside. 41 degrees makes for not a fun day for spring breakers. I ordered warm weather and sunshine! #
Just went to a close friend’s sweet sixteen party. Happy bday marie. Us oldies can’t party like you high schoolers. #
I’m watching my hard drive space go down as I capture HD footage of the runway paving process at the new panama city bay county airport #
I’m totally procrastinating writing two articles. get to work jason! #
http://twitpic.com/1qlw3 – shew, I’m tired. busy week, tons of stuff going on, and tons in the works. Pinky, it’s time to take over th … #
I just left st andrews state park in panama city beach. Wow, what a place. What a great thing we have here. #
Sitting with david @cybersytes showing him how to set up a twitter device #
At the pcb workshop. Form based planning will create more pedestrian friendly areas. #
At the panama city beach form based code workshop. #
@lou1492 hey Lou, thanks for the follow! #
I’m so behind I don’t know what to do. looks like I’ll be pulling a late-nighter. #
@DustyShotMe any good lenses going with any of that crap you don’t need? ; ) in reply to DustyShotMe #

Panama City Beach Spring Break more Family Friendly than Ever

Spring Break 2009 on Panama City Beach will be more family friendly with regards to outgoing marketing efforts than it has been in several years, if ever. This year, there is a greater emphasis on attracting families to our destination and activities planned reflect trying to cater to this market.

Each year tens of thousands of spring breakers descend on our beaches to enjoy great weather, shopping and tons of activities that our area’s businesses put on for this highly consumptive crowd. This business is essential to the primary industry in our area, tourism. Local businesses depend on this to jump start their revenue for the year. It has been argued in the past that families have greater spending potential than college kids, therefore have a greater capability in pumping money into our local economy. I totally agree with this, but I don’t agree that we can just shut down college spring break and expect the families to just show up.

This process must be gradual and will take time, but the effects will be lasting. Starting this year, the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau is spending money on marketing to the family demographic. In the next three years, we’ll see this category trend in the same direction that will ultimately lead to a family friendly destination where parents will feel safe bring their kids to the beach again. Now, that’s not to say that we won’t see college kids doing keg stands on the beach any more, but the level of occurrence will be less.

With the growth and fertilization of Pier Park, finally families actually have something to do here in Panama City Beach. In addition, activities are springing up left and right, with the help and creativity of the CVB’s staff. I frequently receive emails from Susan Estler, Director of Marketing for the Panama City Beach’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau of great ides that they are coming up with to help tell the nation about our area. They are moving in the right direction with momentum picking up each week.

Two weeks ago, Daytime, a show geared towards daily lifestyles and entertainment content was in Panama City Beach for a long weekend experiencing everything from para-sailing to shopping and dining in our area. With cameras in tow they braved the chilly weather with one of their main hosts, Cyndi Edwards. Aired on their network will be five 3-5 minute segments that will serve as an expose of what makes Panama City Beach a great place to vacation.

Also new this year is an expansive campaign with Southern Living including an online sweepstakes driving families to our shores, weekly radio “Beach Report” on stations throughout the southeast and a series of family Focus Concerts at Aaron Bessant Park (tentative right now, but should have more details soon).

Walton Area Chamber Luncheon to Discuss Tourist Tax Dollars Wednesday

The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its monthly Power of Business Luncheon on Wednesday, March 4th at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort at 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The program will be focused on the upcoming tourist season and how tourist tax dollars affect the Northwest Florida economy.

At the luncheon, Sonny Mares, Executive Director of the Beaches of South Walton and Dan Rowe, President/CEO – Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) will be on hand to discuss the tourist season that is fast approaching and the 5th cent bed tax that will be used primarily to attract a low cost airline carrier to Northwest Florida.

To register, please call the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 267-0683 or email info@waltonareachamber.com.

I’ll be there.

Airport Construction Update – Terminal 18% Complete

Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 80% of the contract work is complete with only 54% of the contract time used.

90% of the 15” concrete paving lanes have been placed on 8,400 linear feet of Runway 16-34.
On Taxiway D and main terminal apron, all lime rock base and the first lift of asphalt paving is in place with the 2nd of four lifts going down this week.
The centerline cans on the runway are approximately 36% complete.
The lighting cans in the Touch-down zone are approximately 55% complete.
Paving will begin this week on the General Aviation Access road.
150 pieces of heavy equipment are in operation at any one time with approximately 200 personnel on site for the heavy civil and utilities contracts.

Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
Approximately 18% of contract work is complete with 22.6% of contract time utilized.

Terminal:
Concrete pouring complete for Level 2 Area A. Shoring of Level 2 Areas B and C continues

Air Traffic Control Tower:
Cutting of auger cast piles to design length is complete. Forming for the pile cap has started.

Air Maintenance Facility:
Forming for pit walls continues.

Air Cargo Facility:
Continuing the installation of the pre-engineered metal building.

Public Safety Building:
Rough-in of the plumbing continues.

Rental Car Facility:
Installation of underground facilities continues.

Manpower:
The average man power on site for Contract 2 per day is 95 people based on a five day work week.

Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 8% of contract work is complete with 11% of contract time utilized.

Main Access Road:
3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 36% complete.
Street light duct work is 50% complete.

Joyner Road:
24” directional bore is complete.
24” water main is 36% complete.

GA Access Road:
30” water main is 9% complete.

Lift Station:
Wet Well is installed.

Source: www.NewPCAirport.com

Red Robin to Give Away Free Child ID Kits

Red Robin to give away FREE Child ID Kits and donate 50 cents from every gourmet burger sold during grand opening week to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Red Robin) – known for serving high-quality gourmet burgers in a kid- and family-friendly atmosphere for the past 40 years – will open a new Red Robin(R) restaurant in Panama City Beach, located at 100 Bluefish Drive, off of Highway 98 in the Pier Park development, on Monday, March 9, at 11 a.m. To support child safety efforts in the Panama City Beach community, Red Robin will give away Child ID Kits for FREE* during grand opening week from March 9 to 15. In addition, to celebrate Red Robin’s ongoing commitment to kids and families, the Panama City Beach restaurant has partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to host a Burgers With A Heart(R) fundraiser during grand opening week. Red Robin will donate 50 cents from every gourmet burger sold during this time to NCMEC to support its child safety initiatives.

“We look forward to serving crave-able gourmet burgers to the community in the Panama City Beach area, while also supporting child safety efforts in the local community through our Child ID Kit program,” said Eric Houseman, Red Robin president and chief operating officer. “We invite everyone to come to Red Robin to enjoy one of our more than two dozen high-quality gourmet burgers, learn more about child safety, and help us support the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.”

Red Robin focuses its philanthropic support on local and national causes that promote the health, welfare and education of children, families and citizens in the communities it serves. Because Red Robin is all about kids and families, its ongoing partnership with NCMEC continues to grow through the company’s new restaurant openings and additional programs such as “Red Robin’s Kids’ Cook-Off.”

“On behalf of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, I would like to thank Red Robin for their generous support of our mission,” said Robbie Callaway, NCMEC co-founder and past chairman of the board. “It is important that we empower families to make safer decisions for their children, and communication and education are vital tools in that effort. With Red Robin’s support, we are able to reach many more families across the country through our child safety initiatives.”

The 5,495-square-foot Panama City Beach Red Robin(R) restaurant will seat 164 guests and offers:

A family-friendly, come-as-you-are atmosphere
Birthday celebrations complete with a free sundae and special birthday song, and an online eClub that awards kids a free kids’ meal and adults a free gourmet burger for their birthday
Kids’ menu featuring trans-fat-free favorites like mac’n’cheese, as well as fruit and vegetable side options, such as apple slices, baby carrots with ranch dressing and mandarin orange slices
Detailed allergen information that is also easy to understand
A unique Unbridled culture that inspires Red Robin team members to consistently put guests’ needs first and perform random acts of kindness that enrich the lives of their fellow team members and guests, and that positively impact the community
In-school programs designed to create caring communities, including the U-ACT(R) Champion Program, a national character-building initiative and grant program specifically designed for middle and junior high schools each academic year

For more information about Red Robin and to find additional restaurant locations, please visit www.redrobin.com.