Where to Retire Magazine Features PCB

While most people think of Panama City Beach as a place for family vacations, college spring breaks, or weekend motorcycle trips- Where to Retire magazine thinks of the area as a place perfect for retirees. The truth is, Where to Retire named Panama City Beach as one of the top places for retirees to relocate to. The magazine will be featuring Panama City Beach in their January/February issue. Retirees bring a wealth of economic support to areas, which is why many states and cities hope to attract retirees who which to relocate each year.

Many of PCB’s retiree population comes from the thousands of winter residents who enjoy the area and decide to relocate permanently to our beaches. “I have the pleasure of seeing first-hand how much our seasonal winter residents enjoy reconnecting with friends and experiencing all the terrific things there are to do in Panama City Beach. It’s no surprise that many choose the REAL.FUN.BEACH. lifestyle year round,” says Dan Rowe, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Where to Retire is a magazine dedicated to helping people with retirement relocation decisions and the only one of it’s type in America. Approximately 700,000 Americans relocate to new towns after retirement each year. Where to Retire editor Mary Lu Abbott said Panama City Beach possesses qualities important to today’s retirees. “Though the area has grown in the last decade, retirees still find a relaxing, affordable lifestyle in the Florida panhandle. Panama City Beach shows off its natural beauty of white-sand beaches and emerald waters and continuing education opportunities are available through several area organizations,” Abbott added.

Get Your Christmas Spirit Up

Looking for more holiday events to help get the Christmas Spirit flowing? There are plenty more events to attend!

Santa’s Beach House

November 26th -December 24th

Want to tell Santa what you want and get a picture taken with him? He will be at his Pier Park house ready to take pictures Monday’s- Thursday’s 11:00am – 8:00pm, Friday’s – Saturday’s 10:00am – 8:00pm, Sunday’s 11:00 am – 6:00pm, and on December 24 from 9:00am – 6:00pm.

Christmas Parade

December 3rd

Downtown on Harrison Ave, at 5pm keep your eyes open for the Christmas parade to come by! There will be floats themed “White Christmas” from local businesses, schools, entertainment and community groups, individuals, marching bands, and car clubs. The parade will start at the marina and continue to 13th Street. For the 3rd year, the Panama City Parrot Head Club will be collecting donations and blankets for the local Jaycees group.

Christmas Boat Parade

December 3rd

Departing from Bay Point Marina and looping to the west end of Grand Lagoon, boats will pass in front of the Boatyard, Captain Anderson’s Lighthouse Marina, Treasure Island Marina, Pirates Cove Marina, Tacky Jacks, and 30 Degree Blue. There will be a panel of judges at the Boatyard, with prizes being awarded in various categories including: Best Sailboat, Best Boat Under 30 feet, Most Outlandish, and Best Overall. The awards will be presented at Bay Point Mariana and the after party will be held at 30 Degree Blue.

Christmas Tree Lighting

December 5th

At 6:30pm, the City of Panama City Beach will keep in the holiday tradition of lighting their Christmas Tree in Frank Brown Park. Refreshments and music will be provided by local school, church, and civic groups.

We hope you have a blast looking at the lights, parades, and of course- telling Santa what you want for Christmas!

Downtown’s Dickens of a Christmas

Downtown Panama City is hosting a series of events to put any Scrooge in the holiday season! You’ll find the schedule of events below! Visit Panama City Downtown’s website for all of the details. Join Panama City in lighting up the spirit of Christmas downtown!

December 2nd, 2011 4:45pm-9:00pm

4:45pm- The official tree lighting at city hall

5:00pm-9:00pm- Horse drawn carriage rides, Ice skating*, free kid’s zone and craft village, and Photo’s with Santa (for people and pets)

6:00pm- Bay County Christian Youth Choir on the Knology Stage

6:00pm- Decorate at Gingerbread Man at Sugar Boogers

6:00pm- 8:00pm- Wine Crawl, at participating restaurants downtown. Tickets are $25.00.

7:00pm- The Pyramid Players from The Pyramid School on the Knology Stage

8:00pm- The Singing Commodores from Gulf Coast State College on the Knology Stage

December 9th, 2011 5:00pm-9:00pm

5:00pm-9:00pm- Horse drawn carriage rides, Ice skating*, free kid’s zone and craft village, and Photo’s with Santa (for people and pets)

6:00pm- Woodlawn Community Arts Center on the Knology Stage

6:00pm- Decorate at Gingerbread Man at Sugar Boogers

7:00pm- Oakland Terrace Christmas Program on the Knology Stage

8:00pm- The Pyramid Players from the Pyramid School on the Knology Stage

December 16th, 2011 5:00pm-9:00pm

5:00pm-9:00pm- Horse drawn carriage rides, Ice skating*, free kid’s zone, craft village, and Photo’s with Santa (for people and pets)

6:00pm- Sandbox Singers from The Early Education and Care, Inc. on the Knology Stage

6:00pm- Decorate at Gingerbread Man at Sugar Boogers

7:00pm- Oakland Terrace Christmas Program on the Knology Stage

8:00pm-Baywind Community Band directed by Fred Bozwell on the Knology Stage

*The ice skating rink will be open Saturday December 3rd, 10th, and 17th with free admission with proof of purchase from any downtown restaurant or merchant*

Have fun Downtown celebrating a “Dicken’s of a Christmas!”

Michael McDonald Philanthropic Concert

On December 7th, 2011 at 7:30pm, Michael McDonald, a former Doobie Brother and five-time Grammy Award winner, will be coming to the Marina Civic Center. McDonald will be performing as a benefit to the Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Emerald Coast Division. Tickets are on sale at the Marina Civic Center box office or online for $59.75, $49.75, or $29.75 (Price depends on ticket section).

About Michael McDonald

While focusing on music Michael McDonald has also worked to be an active humanitarian, lending his talents to many causes and benefits. He is now lending those talents to raise money for the Emerald Coast Division of the Children’s Home Society of Florida.

Working as a singer and a songwriter, McDonald has had a collection of popular works. McDonald is most popularly known for his time in the Doobie Brothers, co-writing Van Halen’s “I’ll Wait,” singing a duet with Patty Labelle called “On My Own,” and many more songs he both sang and wrote. You may also recognize him from his Motown tribute album in 2003 called Motown. He as also sang the National Anthem at numerous sporting events in recent years, appeared on American Idol’s final episode in Season 9, and on an episode of 30Rock in 2009.

About The Children’s Home Society

Benefitting from the Michael McDonald concert is the Children’s Home Society of Florida‘s Emerald Coast Division. It is the oldest and largest state-wide, private, not-for-profit provider of services to children and families in Florida. The Children’s Home Society provides safety and shelter to children victimized by abuse, abandonment, or neglect. They have helped to keep over 1,200 local children safe through six programs designed to build and stabilize families. These programs include adoption, early intervention and child development case management, birth to five mental health services, dependency counseling, parent education, Early Steps, and Clair’s House.

For more information about Children’s Home Society of Florida’s services in the local community, please contact Erica Spivey, Director of Development at 850-747-5411.

Enjoy the musical stylings of Michael McDonald on December 7th while raising money for the Children’s Home Society!

Festival of Trees

From November 29th till December 2nd, the Panama City Rescue Mission will be hosting the 8th Annual Festival of Trees: The Greatest Gift of All. The festival will be held at the Marina Civic Center.

This event enables local artists and designers to decorate beautiful Christmas items for charity, which are judged in a competition and then sold at auction. All proceeds help Bethel Village, the Rescue Mission’s home for recovering homeless women and families.

The event will be open admission on Friday December 2nd from 10am-9pm, but the gala on December 1st will be $50 per person or $1,500 a table. Tickets and more information are available online.

Enjoy some Christmas fun while giving back to the community!

Here are some past trees from the Festival of Trees:

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Looking to shed the Scrooge-like funk before the holidays hit? Panama City Beach is full of events and activities to get you singing “Jingle Bells” in no time!

Santa’s Arrival and Breakfast

November 25th, 2011

At 9:00am, Santa will be arriving at Pier Park for cookies, hot chocolate and pictures with all of the boys and girls who come to see him! Pictures will be taking place at the Santa House on the boardwalk.

Annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting

November 25th, 2011

The age old tradition of the Christmas tree lighting will take place from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Listen to holiday carolers as the Mayor lights the 20ft tree in Pier Park and starts the holiday season!

25th Annual Christmas Boat Parade

November 26th, 2011

This year’s boat parade will mark the 25th Anniversary of the parade in Panama City. From 4pm- 9pm in Historic St. Andrews you can watch the “Silver Anniversary”-themed parade tour the St. Andrews Marina. For more information, please visit the website.

Schooners Last Local Beach Party

November 26th, 2011

Celebrate the holiday season with Schooners! Starting at 7pm, Schooners would like to thank those who have supported them all year long. They will have live entertainment from Smoke N Mirrors. There will also be food and drink specials, holiday gifts, and VIP card giveaways. The event will benefit the Children’s Home Society. Schooners asks you to bring a new unwrapped toy to benefit an underprivileged child in the community.

8th Annual Festival of Trees

November 29th- December 2nd, 2011

The Panama City Rescue Mission is hosting the 8th Annual Festival of Trees: The Greatest Gift of All at the Marina Civic Center. This event enables local artists and designers to decorate beautiful Christmas items for charity, which are judged in a competition and then sold at auction. All proceeds help Bethel Village, the Rescue Mission’s home for recovering homeless women and families.

The Rescue Mission will also be hosting a “Lunch with Santa,” which will be a field trip for our school’s homeless children allowing them to enjoy beautiful trees, learn the history of Christmas, meet Santa, and receive presents.

Tickets and more information are available online.

The Snapperbowl Tradition Continues

The 43rd Annual Snapperbowl Thanksgiving Classic continues this year with three days of youth football. The Snapperbowl is the largest running youth football tournament in the United States, and attracts teams from all over the country. The Classic is a double elimination tournament, continuing till only one team remains in each division. The Classic will begin on Thanksgiving and run till the 26th at Pete Edwards Field (7300 McElvey Road). Admission is free for children and will be $5.00 for adults.

The first Snapperbowl was held in 1967, and has since become the Harold M. Creel Memorial Snapperbowl.

Divisions

PeeWee (7 and Under, 70lbs)

Bantumweight (8 and Under, 80lbs)

Lightweight (9 and Under, 90lbs)

Welterweight (10 and Under, 100lbs)

Middleweight (11 and Under, 110lbs)

Cruiserweight (12 and Under, 120lbs)

Heavyweight (13 and Under, 130lbs)

For more tournament information, please see the Snapperbowl website.

Good luck to all of those who are playing! Have fun watching the future generations of football players!

Thanksgiving Dinner at The Beach

Don’t know how to cook? Out of town for the holidays? If you are looking for a place to sit down to your Thanksgiving dinner in Panama City Beach, we have your options!

Breakers — Our Traditional Holiday Buffet

Serving from 11am-6pm

On the menu:

Roast Turkey, Baked Ham, Baked Fish, Roast Baron of Beef, Popcorn Shrimp, Cocktail Shrimp, Giblet Gravy, Traditional Dressings, Sweet Potato Casserole, Steamed Vegetable, Tossed Green Salad, Waldorf Salad, Fresh Baked Rolls, Cranberry Sauce, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and of course- all the trimmings!

You can make reservations for your Thanksgiving dinner with a view of the gulf at 850-234-6060!

Dirty Dick’s Crabhouse — Dick’s Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

Contact Dirty Dick’s for their menu 850-230-3425.

Saltwater Grill – Saltwater’s Famous Thanksgiving Day Buffet

Serving from 11am

On the menu:

Sweet Potato Cider Bisque, Mixed Green Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, Caesar Salad, Roasted Turkey, Hand Carved Roast Beef Au Jus, N’Awlins Style Glazed Ham, Baked Mahi & Pineapple Salsa, Baked Macaroni & Cheese, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Sweet Potato Souffle, Traditional Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Green Beans Amandine, Andouille & Pecan Stuffing, Rice Pilaf,
Pumpkin Pie, Peach Cobbler, Southern Pecan Bread Pudding, Yeast Rolls & Butter.

Call them at 850-230-2739 if you have any questions!

Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar

On the menu:

SteamShip Round, Honey-Glazed Baked Ham, Cajun Fried Turkey, Grilled and Fried Shrimp, Grecian Grouper, Fried Oysters, Biloxi Crab Cakes, Alaskan Snow Crabs, Potato Salad, Pasta Salads, Chicken Salad, Tossed Salad, Au Gratin Potatoes, Fried Okra, Mashed Potatoes, Southern Style Green Beans, Traditional Stuffing, Candied Yams, Squash Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Fresh Baked Bread, home-made Cornbread, Apple Pie, Key Lime Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and Pecan Pie.

The dinner buffet is available for $19.95 and kids under 4 will enjoy their holiday meal for free.

Sonny’s Real Pit Barbecue

On the menu:

Meals for carryout include a smoked turkey or spiral sliced ham and your choice of three sides.

Call 850-230-4742 before November 20th to reserve your meal!

The Boatyard — Family Style Thanksgiving

Serving from 11am-7pm

On the menu:

Turkey, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Andouille Sausage Cornbread Stuffing, Sweet Potato Souffle, Green Peas and Onions, Green Bean Casserole, Orange-Cranberry Relish, Rolls and Butter, and the traditional Pumpkin Pie

Dinner will be $19 per person plus drinks (and taxes and gratuity), and for 4 people or $76 you can reserve a whole turkey! All leftovers will be packaged to take home- just like you cooked dinner at home! They will also have other traditional meal options available as well as drink specials. Find the detailed menu online.

Happy Thanksgiving from PCB Daily!

Richard Adams Book Signing: Author of The Parting

The Hidden Lantern in Rosemary Beach will be holding a book signing for the award-winning author Richard Adams this Saturday from 10am-12pm. Richard Adams is the author of The Parting: A Story of West Point on the Eve of the Civil War.

Richard Barlow Adams

The author of this book graduated from West Point in the Class of 1967, the first of three brothers graduating from West Point. He served in Vietnam as an artillery forward observer for D Company, 1/506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. After returning to the United States he worked as an army aviator for the Army Corps of Engineers. He later returned to Austin, TX and his family to begin a career as a consulting civil/environmental engineer. Later, he moved to Baton Rouge, LA where he formed, grew, and sold an environmental engineering company. Since the sale he has consulted as a sole practitioner and pursued a second career in writing.

Adams has remained active in alumni affairs at West Point, even serving as adjunct assistant professor to West Point’s Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering and as adjunct professor to the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Southern Methodist University.

The Parting

Describing life in the Victorian Era and at West Point, The Parting, is based on non-fictional sources. The story involves West Point’s military and academic excellence, Jefferson Davis’ ties to West Point, General Winfield Scott, British Royalty’s first visit to North America, and Benny Havens, the legendary tavern keeper.

There are characters from several states, Edmund (Ned) Kirby (New York), Henry du Pont (Delaware), Thomas Rosser (Texas), George Custer (Ohio), Adelbert Ames (Maine), Nathaniel Chambliss (Tennessee), Charles Patterson (Arkansas), Henry Walter Kingsbury (Connecticut), Emory Upton (New York), Charles Hazlett (Ohio), Patrick O’Rorke (New York), Charles Ball (Alabama), and Henry Farley (South Carolina), serving as cadets at West Point. The story of The Parting focuses on John Pelham from Alabama, who does not like following the rules West Point laid out for him.

Enjoy meeting the author and getting your copy signed!

Win a Trip to PCB For New Year’s Eve

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, meaning Christmas and New Year’s Eve aren’t that far behind either! Sterling Resorts would like to help you figure out your plans to ring in 2012.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve Sterling Style

Want to go to the Panama City Beach Ball Drop for New Year’s? Sterling Resorts is giving away a 3 night/4 day stay in a beautiful 2-bedroom condominium at a Sterling Resort for New Year’s Eve. In addition, they are also giving the lucky winner a $100 gift card to Pier Park Shopping and Entertainment Center and transportation to and from the beach ball drop in Pier Park.

How to Enter

Visit Sterling Resorts on Facebook, then click the tab that says “Contest” on the left- enter your name and email address. The winner will be announced December 15th, 2011.

Will you be the one who Celebrates New Year’s Eve Sterling Style? Good Luck!