Month: October 2012

FREE Food and Fun at Pier Park this Saturday 11/3

Instead of asking what is going on this weekend…..maybe the question should be what is NOT going on this weekend?

Panama City Beach and her surrounding areas are growing and so is the list of things to do!  The exciting part is that list of events is growing more diverse, from fitness to funky to family fun like this weekend’s Fall Festival at Pier Park.  The Fall Festival is an annual event of Woodlawn United Methodist Church, this year marking the fourth year it is at Pier Park.

The event is open to the public and is at no cost to participants, with all food, games and treats like kettle corn, cotton candy and more for FREE.  Participants will also enjoy LIVE MUSIC and prizes.

Woodlawn UMC like many of the churches in our area, emphasizes service to their community, so the fall festival is just another way to give back.

Woodlawn hopes area families will take advantage of this FREE event and enjoy a few hours of fellowship and games with their loved ones.  The event is Saturday, November 3rd from 10 am to 2 pm.

The church can be reached at 850-234-3196 or you may visit their Facebook page.

 

 

Panama City Beach Seafood and Music Festival – UNwineD 2012

The Panama City Beach Seafood and Music Festival is this weekend, and while it’s not necessarily a replacement for the Seafood Wine and Music Festival of year’s past, it’s a wonderful substitue.  This year’s event is decorated with amazing seafood, great music and a brand new venue, Captain Anderson’s Marina.

Full event schedule

Thursday, October 25, 2012

5:00pm –  Fishing & Diving Tournament Totals Weigh-In Board will be UNVEILED showing 1st Place Artwork from PCB Elementary School Art Contest Winners @ Capt. Anderson’s Marina

6:00 – 8:00pm – PCB Seafood & Music Festival VIP (only) “Reception” at Boatyard Restaurant Sky Deck

8:30 – 10:00pm – PCB Seafood & Music Festival VIP (only) “BMI Songwriter Harbor Dessert Cruise” aboard the Lady Anderson Dining Yacht

10:00pm – 2:00am – “Late Night Hang” at Boatyard Restaurant and Marina Cantina w/BMI Songwriter performances (FREE admittance, food and drink a-la-carte)

Friday, October 26, 2012

12:00pm – 4th Annual Al Hubbard Kids Bay Fishing Tournament “Honoree Kid’s Fishing” (only) Lunch for kids provided by Marina Cantina. Kids, Chaperones & Volunteers Depart at 1:00 from Capt. Anderson’s Marina on the North Star. For more information go to: http://www.facebook.com/AlHubbardKidsFishingExperience

12:00 – 3:00pm – LoCash Cowboys “Beach Party” at Boardwalk Beach Resort

1:00 – 4:00pm – “Grand Lagoon, Shell Island & Dolphin Encounter – Sightseeing Cruise” on Capt. Anderson III. Tickets http://www.captandersonsmarina.com or at Marina $20.00/$10.00

4:00pm – 2:00am – FREE Shuttle Buses(Coastal Coaches) to Festival begin from FREE Parking lots at 1) Corner 98 & Thomas 2) Treasure Island Marina 3) Pirates Cove Marina and 4) St. Andrew’s State Park from – 4:00-11:00pm (entrance fee will be waived for Seafood Festival-goers)

4:00 – 10:00pm – Water Shuttle $2.00 fee (Shark Bite Amphibian Tours) from FREE Parking Lots at 1) Treasure Island Marina and 2) Pirates Cove

4:45pm – “Blessing of the Fleet” waterside @ Capt. Anderson’s Marina – ALL BOATS WELCOME~!

5:00 – 10:00pm – Festival Site OPEN – FREE Entry

5:00pm – Al Hubbard Kids Bay Fishing Tournament “Honoree Kid’s Fishing” trip returns – North Star dock. Weigh-in at Tournament Totals Board – Lady Anderson dock

5:00 – 6:30pm – “Sunset & Seabreeze Cruise” – Lady Anderson dining yacht with dance band Seabreeze and featuring BMI Songwriter Geoff McBride. Wine tasting and upscale appetizer buffet included. Reservations are required, space is limited. Tickets $39.00/$35.00/$27.00 Capt. Anderson’s Marina 850-234-3435 or online at http://www.CaptAndersonsMarina.com

Luxury Lounge – Celebrity Chef Demonstrations, Craft Beer & Wine, FRESH GULF SEAFOOD served by TOP Bay County Restaurants (Boatyard, Marina Cantina, Firefly, G. Foleys, Uncle Ernie’s, Capt. Anderson’s, Dee’s Hangout, Margaritaville, Fatty Patty’s) Admittance Price $10.00 includes keepsake glass w/a-la-carte food purchases (Food & Drink priced at $10.00 or less)

5:00-8:00pm – VIP PASS access to the Luxury Lounge -for a truly “luxurious” experience, $50 per night or $80 for a two-night pass which includes: *FREE food and wine tastings, *stage front seat for BMI Music Entertainment, *Reserved parking at Wyndham Bay Point w/shuttle both ways. For ticket purchase go to http://www.PCBSeafoodFestival.com or call 850-235-1159

Festival Vendor Village – (food & retail vendors) Prices will be posted on site

Bay County Fishing Heritage Tent – “Old Salts” Storytelling, Kid’s History Scavenger Hunt (w/prizes), Pictures w/Educational and Historical displays, St. Andrew’s State Park- FREE

Kidz Zone & Activities – Blue Crab Races, Fighting Chair Pull, Face Painting, Beach Bouncers, Glow Lights, Sandcastle Building, and more – ALL FREE

FWC Tent – Lionfish Exhibition, Education and Tasting – ALL FREE

Bill Cramer Chevrolet car, Legendary Marina boat, & Holiday on Wheels RV show

Dinner specials at Capt. Anderson’s, Boatyard & Marina Cantina

BMI Songwriter performances on community stage:

5:00 – Adam Craig & Cole Swindell

6:00 – Dylan Altman & Jim McCormick

7:00 – Scotty Emerick

8:00 – HEADLINER – LoCash Cowboys

5:15 -6:30pm – “Grand Lagoon & Dolphin Encounter – Sightseeing Cruise” on Capt. Anderson III. Tickets available http://www.captandersonsmarina.com or at Marina $12.00/$6.00

5:30pm – “FRESH GULF SEAFOOD Landing” w/Shrimp & Grouper Boats @ Lady Anderson dockside

10:00pm – Festival Site CLOSED, Last Water Shuttle to Treasure Island Marina and Pirates Cove

11:00pm – Parking Lot CLOSED at St. Andrew’s State Park

10:00pm – 2:00am – BMI Late Night Hang w/BMI Songwriter Performances:

Marina Cantina

10:00 pm – Abigail Rose

11:00 pm – Brandon Kinney & Brent Cobb

Boatyard Restaurant

10:00 pm – Blue Mother Tupelo

11:00 pm – Geoff McBride

12:30 am – Tyler Reeve Late Night Jam

2:00am Last Shuttle departs Boatyard Restaurant for FREE Parking Lots at 1) Corner 98 & Thomas 2) Treasure Island Marina 3) Pirates Cove Marina

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Calling all old salts, new salts, (even slightly salty) Fishers & Divers to take part in one of these awesome opportunities to have FUN with your friends, introduce a whole new generation of KIDS to fishing and at the same time raise money for local Bay County Charities! Ticket proceeds go to the Al Hubbard Kid’s Fishing Experience: Anchorage Children’s Home, Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Boys & Girls Club (Next year will also include Girls, Inc!)

***************Tournament Entry Tickets ONLY $5.00 ea*****************

NOW AVAILABLE at Capt. Anderson’s Marina TICKET OFFICE – sold until 12:00 pm Sat. You MUST purchase tournament ticket BEFORE you leave the dock – angler’s honor~!

5:00am – 5:00pm – 1st Annual Capt. Anderson’s Marina Lionfish “Lion-Tamer” DIVE Tournament – (Private Charter Boats Available at Capt. Anderson’s Marina or check with your local Dive Center) Divers will be donating the lionfish to FWC Tent on Festival Site for the purpose of promoting the elimination of them in our ecosystem and exhibiting how to handle them properly and then cook deliciously – come by for a taste! All other fish may be kept by angler after weigh-in. Dive Categories: Lionfish* / Red Grouper / Gag Grouper / Amberjack *Lionfish will be “wild cards”, each one to count as 1 lb towards fish of diver’s choice*

5:00am – 6:00pm – Deep Sea & Bay Fishing Tournament – (Head Boats/Private Charter Boats/Your Boat) – All fish may be kept by angler after weigh-in. Categories: TROLLING: Tuna (any)/ Dolphin / Wahoo / King Mackerel, BAY: Speckled Trout / Flounder / Spanish Mackerel / Blue Fish / Pompano / Sheepshead, BOTTOM: Red Grouper / Gag Grouper / Amberjack / Beeliners (Vermilion Snapper) / White Snapper (Red Porgy)

5:00am – 5:00pm – Star Queen (Head Boat) “12 HR Deep Sea Fishing” $90.00 (price includes gear, bait, tax & fishing license)

7:00am-5:00pm – Capt. Anderson (Head Boat) “10 HR Deep Sea Fishing” $75.00 (price includes gear, bait, tax & fishing license)

9:00am – 3:00pm – Gemini Queen (Head Boat) “6 HR Deep Sea Fishing” $60.00 (price includes gear, bait, tax & fishing license)

10:00am – 2:00am – FREE Shuttle Buses(Coastal Coaches) to Festival begin from FREE Parking lots at 1) Corner 98 & Thomas 2) Treasure Island Marina 3) Pirates Cove Marina and 4) St. Andrew’s State Park from 10:00am-11:00pm (entrance fee will be waived for Seafood Festival-goers)

10:00am – 10:00pm – Water Shuttle $2.00 fee (Shark Bite Amphibian Tours) from FREE Parking Lots at 1) Treasure Island Marina and 2) Pirates Cove

10:30am – 12:00pm – FREE “Kid’s Dockside Bay Fishing Experience” – meet at Tournament Totals Board

12:00pm NOON – Festival Site OPEN – FREE Entry

Opening Ceremonies on Community Stage including: Welcome & Introductions, Opening Prayer, Presentation of Colors by USN Color Guard, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem

12:00 – 10:00pm – Luxury Lounge – Celebrity Chef Demonstrations, Craft Beer & Wine, FRESH GULF SEAFOOD served by TOP Bay County Restaurants (Boatyard, Marina Cantina, Firefly, G. Foleys, Uncle Ernie’s, Capt. Anderson’s, Dee’s Hangout, Margaritaville, Fatty Patty’s) Admittance Price $10.00 includes keepsake glass w/a-la-carte food purchases (Food & Drink priced at $10.00 or less)

Festival Vendor Village – (food & retail vendors) Prices will be posted on site

Bay County Fishing Heritage Tent – “Old Salts” Storytelling, Kid’s History Scavenger Hunt (w/prizes), Pictures w/Educational and Historical displays, St. Andrew’s State Park-FREE

Kidz Zone & Activities – Blue Crab Races, Fighting Chair Pull, Face Painting, Beach Bouncers, Glow Lights, Sandcastle Building, and more – ALL FREE

FWC Tent – Lionfish Exhibition, Education and Tasting – ALL FREE

Bill Cramer Chevrolet car, Legendary Marina boat, Holiday on Wheels RV Show

BMI Songwriters & Community Stage Performances:

12:30 – Abigail Rose

1:15 – Local Performances, Family Activities & Art Contest Winners

5:00 – Brandon Kinney & Brent Cobb

6:00 – Blue Mother Tupelo

7:00 – Charlie Worsham

8:00 – HEADLINER – Jeffrey Steele Band

2:30 – 4:00pm – FREE “Kid’s Dockside Bay Fishing Experience” – meet at Tournament Totals Board

5:00 – 6:30pm – “Sunsets & Sea Breeze Cruise” – Lady Anderson dining yacht with dance band Seabreeze and featuring BMI Songwriters Aaron Barker & Bridgett Tatum. Wine tasting and upscale appetizer buffet included. Reservations are required, space is limited. Tickets $39.00/$35.00/$27.00 Capt. Anderson’s Marina 850-234-3435 or online at http://www.CaptAndersonsMarina.com

5:00pm – Lionfish “Lion-Tamer” DIVE Tournament – Final Weigh-In @ Tournament Totals Board

5:00-8:00pm – VIP PASS access to the Luxury Lounge -for a truly “luxurious” experience, $50 per night or $80 for a two-night pass which includes: *FREE food and wine tastings, *stage front seating for BMI Music Entertainment, *Reserved parking at Wyndham Bay Point w/shuttle both ways. For ticket purchase go to http://www.PCBSeafoodFestival.com or call 850-235-1159

5:00-8:00pm – Luxury Lounge – Ice Carving Demonstrations

Dinner specials at Capt. Anderson’s, Boatyard & Marina Cantina

5:15 -6:30pm – “Grand Lagoon & Dolphin Encounter – Sightseeing Cruise” on Capt. Anderson III. Tickets available http://www.captandersonsmarina.com or at Marina $12.00/$6.00

6:00pm – Deep Sea & Bay Fishing Tournament- Final Weigh-In @ Tournament Totals Board

6:45 – FISH & DIVE TOURNAMENT WINNERS – ANNOUNCED ON COMMUNITY STAGE

10:00pm – Festival Site CLOSED, Last Water Shuttle to Treasure Island Marina and Pirates Cove

11:00pm – Parking Lot CLOSED at St. Andrew’s State Park

10:00pm – 2:00am – BMI Late Night Hang w/BMI Songwriter Performances:

Boatyard Restaurant

10:00 pm – Scotty Emerick, Dylan Altman & Jim McCormick

11:00 pm – Geoff McBride

12:30 am – Tyler Reeve Late Night Jam

Marina Cantina

10:00 pm – Cole Swindell & Adam Craig

11:00 pm – Charlie Worsham & Brent Cobb

2:00am Last Shuttle departs Boatyard Restaurant for FREE Parking Lots at 1) Corner 98 & Thomas 2) Treasure Island Marina 3) Pirates Cove Marina

Sunday, October 28, 2012

11:00am – 3:00pm – Brunch with BMI Songwriters at Boatyard Restaurant, BMI Open Mic Performances

Parking and Shuttle Recap

FRI :: 4:00pm – 2:00am FREE Shuttle Buses (Coastal Coaches) to Seafood Festival from FREE Parking lots at 1) Corner 98 & Thomas 2) Treasure Island Marina 3) Pirates Cove Marina and 4) St. Andrew’s State Park from 4:00-11:00pm (entrance fee will be waived for Seafood Festival-goers)

FRI :: 4:00 – 10:00pm Water Shuttle $2.00 fee (Shark Bite Amphibian Tours) from FREE Parking Lots at 1) Treasure Island Marina and 2) Pirates Cove

SAT :: 10:00am – 2am FREE Shuttle Buses (Coastal Coaches) to Festival from FREE Parking lots at 1) Corner 98 & Thomas 2) Treasure Island Marina 3) Pirates Cove Marina and 4) St. Andrew’s State Park from 4:00-11:00pm (entrance fee will be waived for Seafood Festival-goers)

SAT :: 4:00 – 10:00pm Water Shuttle $2.00 fee (Shark Bite Amphibian Tours) from FREE Parking Lots at 1) Treasure Island Marina and 2) Pirates Cove

For additional information about the Luxury Lounge, VIP Access, or Custom Coach Shuttle and BMI Music Schedule contact PCB Chamber at 850-235-1159 or visit pcbseafoodfestival.com

For additional information on the Water Events, Fishing & Diving Tournaments and Lady Anderson Dining Yacht cruises, Capt. Anderson’s Marina at 850-234-3435, 800-874-2415 or visit CaptAndersonsMarina.com

What is a RT300 anyway?

The RT300 is part of a restorative therapy system that activates various muscle groups and stimulates movement…in laymen terms, it helps get someone’s muscles moving again, i.e. patients who need to relearn basic motor functions such as standing up and walking on their own.  A lot of professionals are recommending this equipment which seems to have a lot of promise…the only catch? ….it is super expensive.  We are talking mid size sedan expensive.

By now some of you know that there is fundraiser on November 3rd on the west end of the beach called “Celebrate the Arts” which will unite a group of local artists from mixed media to jewelry to reclaimed furniture who will donate a portion of their proceeds to Beach Care Services and support activities to raise funds for Aaron Nichols, who is a local resident who needs medical equipment, more specifically the RT300 to help his recovery after a traumatic car accident from 2007.

I went to school with Aaron Nichols and thinking back I can not remember since when but at least since fourth grade at Surfside Middle School.  His father taught music there, he was the band director, who I came to know simply out of proximity or when the choir room next door, my hideout was locked.

Aaron and I, though in many classes together because of  a shared academic path, were not close in school, but many of you that went to Bay High or had children or grandchildren that went to school in the late 90’s did know him.  Perhaps your son played in the band with him or your daughter came home with stories about his funny antics in history class like I did.   My memory fails me as I can not come up with any hysterical anecdotes involving him although I am sure his other classmates have them. I  mostly remember that he made me smile, like when he would insist with every teacher we had, he went by a different nickname, in history class, he was “Lance” like the Backstreet Boys.  He never wasted an opportunity to make a joke.

My question to our readers is…….if Aaron was your son, wouldn’t you want him to get that piece of equipment he needs?

Of course you would. Which is why I implore your help.  As of now, Aaron is about 14,500 short of the funds he needs to cover the entire cost of this equipment.

Local families and churches have done amazing work so far, even helping him set up an online campaign on www.giveforward.com/aaronnichols.  But the campaign expires in a few days and he still needs over 14,000!

That was not acceptable to me.  So we decided that at this year’s Celebrate the Arts, we would have a first ever EVENT T-shirt with all the proceeds going to Aaron.  A few local businesses jumped on board like Cox Pools, Setco Services , Indulgence Salon and Spa, and other private donors to help us get this project going and we appreciate them!

The t-shirt will come in short sleeve, long sleeve and youth sizes with the CTA color splash logo on front and some of the supporting businesses on the back. Prices range from $15 to $25.  You can pick up your shirt at the CTA event on November 3rd (10 am to 4pm) in front of Beachy Beach Real Estate and Cerulean Interiors or you can order via email, via Facebook, or via paypal on www.beachybeach.com/celebratethearts.  If you do order on paypal please specify whether you are making a straight donation or what type shirts you are seeking.

Want to help in other ways?  Celebrate the Arts evolved from a group of people using their talents to help others.  I am sure you have a gift that will help Aaron.

For example, maybe you want to donate a portion of the profits of your goods or services to his cause or maybe you have a printing company and you can help us continue our T-Shirt project? We have the first batch of T-shirts paid for, but we will need to order 4 more sets to reach our goal.

If you do…please share it with us at info@beachybeach.com or with myself Britt@beachybeach.com

Aaron needs $14,500 for his RT300, which is possible if 1000 locals gave $14.50 or if 500 gave $29….well you get the point.  What would you pay to stand up and walk on your own?

We can make this happen with the help of compassionate locals like yourself.

Below is a note from the Nichols family  you will find from the internet giving site that will expire in a few days:

If you’re seeing this you’re probably already aware that Aaron suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2007 car accident. While he’s made some incredible strides in his ongoing recovery he still needs regular intensive therapy to help him continue moving forward.

Recently his physical therapist suggested we try to purchase a Functional Electrical Stimulation cycle. There are so many benefits this equipment can provide. It will help reduce the tone that keeps him from moving some parts of his body freely. The machine will help build muscle that will help him walk again, as well as improving his circulation, breathing and cognition.

The RT300 works by placing electrodes on his thighs, calves and upper extremities and stimulating those muscles to work. As he pedals he’ll get a good cardio workout and reduce tone in those muscles. This is very different from passive therapies. HIS muscles will be doing the work, not the therapist.

Unfortunately the RT 300 is quite expensive. The basic cost is more than $21,500. The cost of running this fundraiser is an additional 7%.

We have lots of long range goals for Aaron’s ultimate recovery, but our first goal is to get him up and walking again someday soon. We believe the RT300 can be key to achieving this goal. Please help out if you can, and if you can’t, that’s okay, too.

Thanks in advance,

Gary, Marabeth, Phillip, Kristen and Aaron Nichols

 

We would love to have you come out and support Aaron and Beach Care Services on Saturday, November 3rd for Celebrate the Arts.  But know that it doesn’t end with this event…..we have a RT3oo to buy folks.

Event to Benefit Beach Care Services and Aaron Nichols

 

Special thanks to the in-kind media partners who have helped us share about Aaron’s needs such as Panama City Radio Group, WMBB-TV, and Channel 7 local news stations.

Fishing Tournament along side PCB Seafood Festival

Deep-Sea & Bay Fishing Tournament is coming to Capt. Anderson’s Marina the last weekend of October.

 

They are calling it the Lionfish Dive Tournament, officially it is the inaugural  “Lion Tamer Spearfishing Tournament” and will be held in  conjunction with the PCB Seafood & Music Festival: UNwineD 2012 Saturday, Oct 27, 2012.

Capt. Anderson’s is “Calling all old salts, new salts, (even slightly salty) Fishers & Divers to take part in this awesome opportunity to have FUN, introduce a whole new generation of kids to fishing and raise money for these local Bay County Charities:  Anchorage Children’s Home, Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Boys & Girls Club.”

Categories Include:
Tuna (any)/ Dolphin / Wahoo / King Mackerel
Red Grouper / Gag Grouper / Amberjack / Beeliners (Vermilion Snapper) / White Snapper (Red Porgy)
Speckled Trout / Flounder / Spanish Mackerel / Blue Fish / Pompano / Sheepshead
Lionfish / Red Grouper / Gag Grouper / Amberjack
*Lionfish will be “wild cards”, each one to count as 1 lb towards fish of diver’s choice*

Tournament Entry Fees (excluding trip cost):

– Head Boats – ONLY $5.00 for each angler
– Private Charter Boats – ONLY $25.00 per Boat up to 6 anglers, $5.00 for each extra head
– Divers –ONLY $5.00 for each diver

Tickets will be on sale until 1pm CST and must be purchased PRIOR to fishing or diving (on your honor!)

Weigh-In @ Lady Anderson dock (behind Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant):
Date:
Saturday, Oct 27, 2012

2:00 – 5:00PM DIVERS

3:00 – 6:00PM FISHERS

There are rules for the tournament that we will not go into here, other than the official tournament begins at 5 am central time, regardless of your departure time, and that there is a MANDATORY safety briefing required of participants on 10-24-12 at 7PM on the Lady Anderson.

For a more detailed list of rules, please contact Lady Anderson’s Marina, 850- 234 -3435.

There will be a FWC Tent to  educate locals about the lionfish species and how it is disrupting our local ecosystem.

Candy Hansard of the Emerald Coast Reef Association will be demonstrating how to safely handle the Lionfish, and the Boatyard Restaurant will grill them so we can all have a taste of this beautiful delicacy!

Capt. Anderson’s Marina , “Where the Fish are always biting and the Kids are always smiling” is located at 5550 N. Lagoon Dr. in Panama City Beach.

For tickets to the PCB Seafood and Music Festival itself go to: www.pcbseafoodfestival.com.

For more event listings like these or to submit your own event, go to www. carpediem365.net and after the fun is over…make sure you share your BIG CATCHES with PCB Daily!

 

PCB Chamber Seafood and Music Festival

Walk This Saturday….discover the UPS of DOWNS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever met anyone with Down Syndrome? If it wasn’t for the work of the Special Olympics or the warm-hearted cheerleader on GLEE would you even know what it looked like?

I think many of us would agree that fear comes from the unknown and being in small town USA, we are insulated from a lot of unknowns, like genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome, we don’t understand.

But did you know here in Bay County there are as many as 7 new families with children born with Down Syndrome?
On a national level one in every 733 babies in the United States is born with it, making it the most common genetic condition. About 6,000 babies are born with Down’s in the U.S every year.

But how would you know that? I didn’t until I spoke to a couple mother’s whose lives were affected….for the better, by the way. One woman, Shannon, whose family frequently visits our beaches, and hopes to call it home some day, shared with me about her experience very candidly.

 

 

Shannon’s son Lucas on our Beaches

 

After giving birth she looked at her baby Lucas, who is now the absolute light unto her path, and she knew before the doctor told her. She was terrified, she broke down into a “crying, snotty mess” she said. She realized that as a mother, one of her primal fears were ignited, something was “wrong” with her baby. But “wrong” turned out to be just “right” and the biggest blessing of her and her husband’s lifetime.

After the hormonal rush of pregnancy had subsided and she was able to reflect on her gutteral reaction she concluded most of her horror was based on pure ignorance. She had never met anyone with Down Syndrome before, she didn’t know anything about it, how was she going to take care of our baby? Isn’t that every mother’s fear that we will not somehow be equipped, i.e, good enough to take care of our children?

As I spoke with Shannon and she shared her story, her candor touched me, I thanked her for it. She simply said…”you know, your story is your story.”

Those words hit me in the face and I hope they leave a mark on yours. Your story is your story and it can be as sad or scary or beautiful as you want it to be. But before it is written, when it is still in the beginning and you don’t know what is going to happen…it can be pretty scary.

But it doesn’t have to be, you can reach out and find people to talk to, learn more about Aspergers and Autism and Down Syndrome and all of those things that terrify us because we don’t know any better. For Shannon, she read the blog by Kelle Hampton, a mother she not only connected to, but made her realize what an amazing gift she had been given.

Thankfully there are organizations that raise awareness of these issues that affect so many of new mother’s today.  October happens to be Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

If you want to learn more about Down Syndrome and have a fun, family friendly day outside, you are in luck for this Saturday, October 20th is the Annual Buddy Walk put on by Acton Up with Downs at Aaron Bessant Park next to Pier Park.

There will be lots to do at this event..Music…Food..
Children’s games and crafts…entertainment for all!
Dr. Shane of WPAP will be the MC and the Parrots Club will play music. Prosperity Bank will be keep our bellies full with hot dogs and hamburgers for all.

To find out more about this event, go to http://www.actonupwithdowns.org/ or just show up at Aaron Bessant Park this Saturday, October 20th at 9 am.

As one local parent put it….”Come out and learn more about people with Down Syndrome…and find out that we are all more alike than different.”

Harley-Davidson Panama City Beach Ground Breaking

For years the Harley Davidson Panama City Beach sign has waited quietly for it’s purpose.  And after 5 Thunderbeach rally’s since it’s gone up, today was what many called an historic groundbreaking event.  With a fairly large crowd, tons of shiny bikes and a huge open field, Harley Davidson of Panama City Beach is officially under construction.

Development timetable.

With the groundbreaking today, technically construction has started, but the entire dealership site has already been cleared, graded and prepped for development.  The 5 acre site will be home to a 38,000 square foot Harley Davidson dealership that will sell hundreds of bikes a year and even have their own training course and course track.

In the next couple weeks expect to begin to see a foundation take shape and walls go up with a projected (weather permitting) completion mid to late spring 2013.  Their goal is to be open and ready for business by the spring Thunderbeach Rally.

About the dealership [Press Release].

This dealership is going to be huge, tipping the scales at over 38,000 square feet.  A large showroom floor will feature the newest Harley-Davidsons as well as a large selection of used bikes including Harleys and all other makes and of motorcycles. The Motorclothes department will feature a wide variety of clothing for all from fashionable t-shirts to functional riding gear including helmets, gloves, and leather jackets.  Other items will also be available such as jewelry, glassware, HD home decor and plenty of other Harley-Davidson themed items.

For those riders who want to add a little something extra to their motorcycle, the full service Parts and Accessories department will be standing by to help.  Chrome Consultants can help add a little or a lot of shine while the Fit Shop will help guests choose the right handlebars, seats and other accessories to ensure their bike is the perfect fit for them. From taillight to LED Head Lights and everything in between, Genuine Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories will be available to keep your Harley looking good and running smooth.

If your bike needs some major repair work or just an oil change, the full service department will take care of you.  With 6 service bays and a complete detail area, the factory-trained technicians treat your bike just as the would their own.  Expertise in their field and a passion for riding means the techs will have you and your Harley roaring down the road in no time at all.

If you don’t know how to ride, no problem.  The dealership will offer motorcycle-riding lessons through Harley-Davidson’s Rider’s Edge Course.  The motorcycles are provided for the course and a training room and certified riding range s on site.  Our coaches are experienced, knowledgable and patient and will teach all the skills needed to become a safe rider.  When you pass the course, you will be able to pick up your motorcycle endorsement from the DMV.  If you need to brush up on your skills, classes for the experienced rider will also be available.

The fishing village themed building ties into the coastal community and is an inviting place for guests to buy a Harley, shop for MOtorclothes, have their bike serviced or just hang out.  The motorcycle dealership features a guest lounge complete with complementary soft drinks, popcorn and cookies.  Guests will be encouraged to relax, shoot a game of pool or play some darts.

Location

The dealership is located on the 5 acre parcel immediately to the east of the Palmetto Trace subdivision, at the intersection of Panama City Beach Parkway (US 98 or Back Beach Road) and N Gulf Blvd on the northwest corner.  The dealership entrance will be off of Gulf Blvd.

Map link

Pictures, site plans and renderings.

One of the coolest media kits I’ve received came in the form of a nifty usb thumb drive silicon bracelet with Harley-Davidson branding on it.  They provided the site plan, rendering and the building floorplan.

Celebrate the Arts to Help PCB Locals

 

2nd Annual  “Celebrate the Arts” Local Artists Market to benefit Beach Care Services will take place this year on Saturday, November 3rd from 10 am to 4 pm.

The event co-hosted by  Beachy Beach Real Estate and  Cerulean Interiors unites local artists and craftsmen to share their gifts and “celebrate” art, including its’ power to improve the lives of others.  The event will be located in front of the aforementioned businesses at 22600 Panama City Beach Parkway on the West End of Panama City Beach, just a little bit east of Publix at Carillon.

Co-host, Roy Calvin Eure, Jr , owner of Cerulean Interiors , an artist in his own right, says  “ as a member of the local business community, I think it is important we encourage the creation of art and it’s power as a vehicle for social change.  “

When asked why she was involved with Celebrate the Arts, Karen Smith, Broker of Beachy Beach Real Estate said , “we just try help people with the gifts we are given…when you are blessed, you are called to bless others.  Beach Care Services helps people directly, Roy and I want to be a part of that.”

Celebrate the Arts (CTA) will feature artists and craftsmen from a variety of disciplines, from jewelry to woodworking to photography.  CTA will also feature live music,  door prizes and special giveaways and activities for kids, including a booth just for them hosted by the Beachy Beach Kids Club.

This family friendly event is FREE to attend, but participants are encouraged to bring their pocket books, as all the artists are donating a portion of their profits to Beach Care Services and this year the first ever CTA event T-shirt will be available for sale with all profits going to Aaron Nichols, a local resident and Bay High graduate whose near fatal car accident five years ago left him and his family in dire need of financial help.

This year at the event, there will be an additional booth selling the CTA logo shirt and Beachy Beach merchandise, with all profits going to the Aaron Nichols fund to help him purchase much needed medical equipment to help him learn how to walk again.  Many residents may know Aaron’s father, Gary Nichols who teaches music at Breakfast Point Academy.  To learn more about getting  Aaron back on his feet, visit http://www.giveforward.com/aaronnichols

In addition, if you cannot come to the event but you would like to help in some way, whether it be an item donation, volunteer or whatever your heart moves you please reach out to the Panama City Beach location of the Beachy Beach Real Estate office at 850 233 4351 or email Tammy@beachybeachy.com or Britt@beachybeach.com.   To find out more about  the event  please visit the facebook page, www.facebook.com/celebratetheartspcb.   Beach Care Services, who epitomizes their slogan of “Locals helping Locals”  are  also on Facebook if you would like to learn more about them.  Thanks to the generous support of businesses like Pineapple Willy’s and successful fundraisers like last month’s Duck Races, Beach Care Services has been able to help a large number of local families in need in our area.

 

Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater Construction Update

Very few things excite me as much as new construction in Panama City Beach.  You know I love dreaming of the future and any sort of growth is a sign of prosperity and success.  The improvements happening at Aaron Bessant Park are really beginning to take shape.  So far the construction of the new amphitheater is giving it some shape and the new restroom facilities are coming out of the ground.  They’ve also began grading the field preparing for the soccer fields.

As you roll through the pictures of the construction update, you can reference the layout schematics to get some bearing on what is where.

Amphitheater schematics

On the west side of the amphitheater there will be the dressing room area.  This will provide an area for the performers to prepare and rest.  There are actually two separate dressing rooms, each with their own full bathroom and a green room. In addition, on that side of the amphitheater there is an administrative office for support staff and secured storage.

On the east side of the amphitheater is the loading and storage area.  There is an opening that is large enough and at the right height for a semi truck trailer to pull right up and off load equipment.  In addition, there is a large amount of storage area.

Construction update photos

Taken from the east side (facing west), this shot looks at the side of the structure.  To the right in this image would be the audience.

This is a closer shot of the east side of the structure.  The larger opening in the middle will be the garage bay door where performers will be able to pull their trailer up to for loading and unloading.  Immediately behind that wall will be storage.

This is taken from the front of the structure with the audience placement behind me.  This shows the right or west side of the building and the stage area.

This is again, the west side of the structure.

Pirates of the High Seas Festival THIS WEEKEND

If you haven’t planned your trip to the beach for Columbus Day weekend, then get your bags packed, check out our condo rental availability calendar and fill up the tank.  This weekend is the second annual Pirates of the High Seas Festival and will adorn Panama City Beach with pirates, a beach ball drop and parades.

Schedule of events

All events below will take place in Pier Park unless noted otherwise.

Friday October 5th

  • Pirate and Wench (Adults) Costume Contest (6:00 p.m.)
    Aspiring pirates and lasses can show off their high seas style.
  • Pet Costume Contest (6:20 p.m.)
    Scruffy scallywags, pampered pooches and feathered friends take the stage to display their pirate garb in a chance to capture the bounty.
  • Second Line Parade (7:00 p.m.)
    Mardi Gras style parade
  • Beach Ball Drop (8:00 p.m.)
    More than 8,000 inflated beach balls will create a sea of excitement as they fall from the sky onto Pier Park Drive.

Saturday October 6

  • Run for the Treasure (7:30 a.m.)
    Landlubbers will stretch their legs at pirate-themed Fun Run, 5K and Half Marathon hosted by Girl’s Inc. of Bay County at Aaron Bessant Park.
  • Children’s Costume Contest, Treasure Hunt, Activities on BookIt.com Beach and Face Painting (12 noon)
    Exciting activities and live music on the main stage presented just for petite pirates.
  • Lookout for pirates in the Gulf of Mexico (4:00 p.m.)
    The Midnight Princess and Sea Dragon ships sail the waters of the Gulf, battling to lay siege on the city.
  • Pirates Raid Panama City Beach City Pier (4:30 p.m.)
    Anchored offshore, the pirates invade City Pier seeking the keys to the city, followed by a children’s pirate parade. All costumed children are welcome to join the march.
  • Pirate Parade (6:30 p.m.)
    Royal pirates from the Krewe of Dominique Youx strut the streets alongside winners of costume contests and street performers to the Circle for music.
  • Dueling Fireworks Show (8:00 p.m.)
    Battle of the High Seas between County and City Piers as a mysterious pirate ship arrives offshore.