My Night of Spring Break

As the first night of spring break for many has rolled in, many are here enjoying our beaches. I would think it safe to say that most are here to remain completely inebriated for the duration of their stay, but I have to remember that they pump tons of money into our area. But it doesn’t mean that I have to like how they do it.

The streets weren’t as packed as I had expected, but perhaps everyone was in the “club.” There were a good number of kids walking up and down the “strip”, yelling cat-calls at the ladies and profanities at the guys. I was flicked off at least twice in my travels down the main thoroughfares for doing nothing other than driving by – lovely representation for the college crowd. It would seem that a few bad apples sure can leave a nasty and lasting taste.

The night scene isn’t really my thing.

Starting tomorrow, the beach will be alive and crawling with college-age kids doing anything from playing beach tennis to doing whatever they have going on down at The Boardwalk Beach Resort. This week, there will be over 1.8 million kids out on spring break, making it the second largest spring break of the season. Next week there will be over 2.1 million out on spring break.

I’ll be out from time to time next week capturing all the activity, look forward to the updates.

Courtesy of Tripsmarter.com, below is a list of schools out on spring break this week (be warned, it’s like a million rows long):

March 9-13, 2009 (Mon-Fri)
College / University	Enrollment
Alabama A&M University	6,047
Albion College	1,970
Albright College	1,650
Alcorn State University	3,668
American University	9,749
Appalachian State University	15,117
Arizona State University	64,394
Army, West Point	4,000
Aurora University	6,000
Austin Peay State University	9,192
Baldwin-Wallace College	4,260
Ball State University	20,113
Baylor University	13,886
Belmont University	4,765
Bentley College	5,557
Bowling Green State University	22,882
Brock University, Canada	12,889
Bryn Mawr College	1,799
Bucknell University	3,555
Butler University	8,367
Campbell University	10,471
Carroll College	3,292
Claflin University	1,800
College of Mount St. Joseph	2,300
College of William and Mary	7,709
College of Wooster	1,827
Colorado State University-Pueblo	3,951
Columbus State University	7,593
Concordia University, Saint Paul	2,069
Connecticut College	1,910
Covenant College	1,007
Creighton University	6,992
Dalton State College	4,532
Daytona Beach Community College	32,088
Duke University	12,991
East Carolina University	25,990
East Tennessee State University	13,389
Eastern Kentucky University	15,839
Emerson College	3,800
Emory & Henry College	981
Ferris State University	13,000
Florida Memorial University	1,867
Florida State University	41,575
George Mason University	30,332
Georgetown University	14,148
Gonzaga University	6,503
Hampton University	5,117
Hastings College of the Law	1,300
Hendrix College	1,095
IUPU, Fort Wayne	4,927
Illinois State University	20,757
Indiana State University	10,568
James Madison University	17,918
Kennesaw State University	20,603
Lamar State College	2,000
Lamar State College at Port Arthur	3,000
Lewis and Clark Community College	20,252
Liberty University	14,438
Longwood University	4,479
Loyola Marymount University	8,972
Macon State College	6,464
Malone College	2,385
Marquette University	11,548
Miami University (OH)	20,126
Michigan State University	46,045
Minnesota State University	13,841
Monmouth College	1,360
Morehouse College	2,933
Northeastern University	20,605
Northern Illinois University	25,313
Northern VA Community College	60,000
Notre Dame de Namur University	1,600
Occidental College	1,839
Old Dominion University	21,625
Pellissippi State Technical Community College	7,001
Penn State University	83,721
Purdue University North Central	3,724
Queens University	13,500
Quinnipiac University	7,400
Radford University	9,552
Saint John’s University	20,346
Saint Joseph’s University	7,542
Sam Houston State University	16,416
Simmons College	4,700
Southern Illinois University Carbondale	20,983
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	13,449
Southern Methodist University	10,901
St. Louis University	11,823
St. Mary’s College	1,871
Stephen F. Austin State University	10,822
Syracuse University	19,082
Temple University	34,218
Tennessee State University	8,748
Thomas More College	1,416
Texas State University	28,132
Université de Montréal	55,791
University Laval	28,902
University of Central Florida	48,497
University of Detroit Mercy	5,600
University of Florida	49,693
University of Georgia	33,831
University of Memphis	20,000
University of North Carolina	28,136
University of North Carolina at Wilmington	11,840
University of Notre Dame	11,603
University of Pittsburgh	27,020
University of South Carolina	27,390
University of South Dakota	11,582
University of Southern Indiana	10,040
University of Tampa	5,600
University of Tennessee at Martin	6,504
University of Toledo	19,706
University of West Florida	10,358
Utah State University	17,027
Valencia Community College	51,551
Virginia Tech	29,898
Weber State University	18,300
Western Kentucky University	19,215
Wilmington College	11,500
Yale University	11,398
Youngstown State University	11,803
TOTAL	1,834,258

New Publix, Office Depot, Dunkin Donuts almost ready

Only months away from opening, the new Publix, Office Depot, Dunkin Donuts and other soon to be announced businesses at the intersection of Beckrich and Back Beach Road are nearing completion more every day. Scheduled to open late spring, the front of the main building structures are almost done and looking nice.

The curb work is in and the ground prepped for paving, which should happen in the next couple of weeks.

St. Joe releases new Golf memberships in Wild Heron

When St. Joe purchased the Sharkstooth club house, tennis and beach club the community was all a buzz about the change in memberships. At that time the only way to get a full golf membership was to either buy a home that had an existing membership through transfer and purchase or to buy an approved St. Joe property. That was not received very well by the community since many home owners assumed this was a privilege that would always be afforded to them.

Fast forward and now St. Joe is now offering several golf, tennis and beach club memberships to Wild Heron owners as well as those that would purchase property in the community. As a past club member and owner in Wild Heron I believe this is a great idea for the health of the community. As a Realtor I have had several people that have wanted to buy a particular piece of property and without a membership possibility that was less attractive. I will tell you that the golf course is great, the community is one of a kind and the neighbors are second to none.

Please click here for more information about the membership offerings and remember to call your favorite Realtor to check out Wild Heron and if you do not have a favorite Realtor I would love to help you. Karen Smith with Beachy Beach Real Estate at 850-527-5651.

TDC Meeting – To Discuss Bed Tax Collection Allocation

On the agenda for the regularly scheduled TDC/CVB combined meeting for Tuesday, March 10 at 9 am is an update on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, and the review of allocation for the Tourism Bed Tax Collection. Hmm, I wonder what that means.

You can download the agenda here. Or, you can view it below:

AGENDA

COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 9:00 a.m. Council Room, PCB City Hall

I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

A.    Invocation
B.    Pledge of Allegiance
C.    Approve Minutes From the February 10, 2009, and February 16, 2009 Meetings

III. REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AGENDA ITEMS (3 Minutes)

IV. UPDATE ON BED TAX COLLECTIONS, Ms. Charlene Honnen, Tourist Development Tax Specialist

V. PRESENTATIONS

A. Update on AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, Ms. Alison Shapiro, PR Manager, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

VI. BOARD ACTION ITEMS

A. Discuss and Consider for Approval Financial Statements Dated January 31, 2009, Mr. Dan Rowe, President
B. Discuss and Consider for Approval Coastal Planning & Engineering Invoice #90214, Invoice #90220, and Invoice #90267, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VII. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Review of Allocation of the Tourist Development Tax, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VIII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

IX. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

X. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

XI. ADJOURNMENT

PCB Sand Sports Offers Free Introduction to Beach Tennis

PCB Sand Sports in partnership with Beach Tennis USA will be hosting the first annual Sharkys Beach Tennis Doubles on Saturday March 14th.

This is a FREE tournament to introduce the sport of Beach Tennis to the community and provide local FUN between the Spring Break week.
Did we say Free! Yes this is a benefit to the locals to come out and play during the transition day of Spring Break and have some fun.
If you currently play Tennis or have never played any Tennis at all come out and try it at Sharkys on the Beach.

Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. and play will begin at 11:00. The first 16 teams to register will receive a “free” Beach Tennis t-shirt.
The tournament will be double elimination or pool play depending on the number of teams as we begin to promote and introduce this “new fun” sport to the community.
We are going to provide the first place team with a dinner for two coupon to Sharkys.

Come out and watch the Beach Tennis tournaments through March 18th daily to see the College vs. College competition.
Or just come out to pick up a few tips from the Pros since leagues will begin at Sharkys In May for Beach Tennis.

This is a great family sport and is growing rapidly worldwide.

For more information email beachresearch@yahoo.com or call 850-769-4802.

Resort Collection Offers Sweet Family Spring Packages

Families Enjoy Two Nights’ Stay Free!

The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach announced special offers to families who want to enjoy Panama City Beach during their spring vacation. Every year, thousands of families come from near and far to enjoy all of the attractions the city holds on the world’s most beautiful beaches. This spring, families who book a five-night stay with The Resort Collection, which includes six luxurious resort properties, will receive two additional nights for free.

The sparkling emerald waters, sugar-white sands and bright sunshine make this area a perfect place to swim in the warm gulf waters, build sandcastles or fly kites with the whole family. Guests of The Resort Collection have access to beach rentals and services for Jet Skis, banana boat rides, parasailing and more located on the gulf.

Beyond the beauty, relaxation and fun of the beach, Panama City Beach has many more family-fun activities to explore. The 20-acre tropical-themed Shipwreck Island Waterpark, with its 500,000-gallon Ocean Motion Wave Pool, and numerous other attractions provide hours of fun for the whole family to enjoy. If families feel like taking a break from the water, they can visit the 1.1 million-square-foot open-air family entertainment complex, Pier Park. Because The Resort Collection is Pier Park’s accommodations partner, guests of The Resort Collection can show their room key at various shops and restaurants to receive special discounts. Whether guests are looking to shop major national retail stores and private boutiques or dine at festive restaurants like Margaritaville, they will find what they’re looking for at the beautifully landscaped mall with colorful Caribbean architecture. Located at the epicenter of Pier Park is The Grand Theatre 16 showing all the latest feature films. The Grand is now offering Super Saver Tuesdays where all seats, all day every Tuesday are only $5, making it a fun, affordable outing for the whole family. For the more curious adventurers, Ripley’s Believe It or Not boasts a prime location on Panama City Beach for exploring the most interesting and quirky wonders on the planet.

“We are proud to welcome families from all over the world to enjoy paradise on our shores in our luxury accommodations,” said vice president of sales and marketing for The Resort Collection Paul Wohlford. “I know families who book with us will create great memories that will last for years to come.”

Panama City Beach, Florida has all the natural and man-made amenities to create the perfect family getaway and The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach has the perfect offer to make it a fun, affordable and stress-free vacation. Family Spring Vacation offers are based on availability.

For information on The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach, or to book reservations, call (866)-203-1164 or visit http://www.resortspcbeach.com.

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.