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Stretch Your Soul

Stretch your soul at Healthy Souls Yoga at Woodlawn United Methodist Church over the next couple months and help a local jewelry designer offset the cost of cancer treatment.

Renee Arellano is a local resident battling breast cancer and needs her friends in the yoga community to rally around her as she deals with the challenges of such a disease and the road to recovery. Renee, is a talented jewelry designer and creator of Cotier Chica Jewelry designs that many of you have seen in Shimmering Seas at Pier Park.

If you would like to support Renee, visit one of the Healthy Souls Yoga Classes listed below and make a donation to go to her recovery efforts.

Mondays at 5:45 pm

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8 am

All classes are open to men and women and no experience is needed. Classes meet in the Youth/CR Building of Woodlawn United Methodist Church (across from Arnold Highschool) at 219 N. Alf Coleman Road.

The program makes available community yoga mats , along with blocks and straps. However, if you have your own, you are encouraged to bring it.

Certified Yoga Instructors Laurie Olshefski, Judy Christian and Sandy Beitz hope that you stretch your body and lift your spirit! Their program is definately Yoga on A Mission, with a 100 percent of class donations going to local community missions, whether it be a family or individual like Renee in need.

For more information, contact Judy at jchristian58@comcast.net or visit them on Facebook: Healthy Souls at Woodlawn.

Get Your Phone Fit for Summer

Is your phone fit for summer? Concerts are back on at Pier Park, it’s bike riding weather at Conservation Park and the beach is calling our name, so who wants to be carrying their charger with them everywhere?

All this talk about getting bikini ready and what not I figured I would get my phone ready for the beach too. So I headed over to Sunjammers Watersports, where we filmed the last episode of The Beach Show and plundered through their phone accessories.

When the weather gets warm like this again, I want to be OUTSIDE! Only problem, is being in sales and marketing, I am constantly on my phone…emailing, texting, facebooking and because of that, my phone is always DYING!

So last time I was in Sunjammers I happened to mention this to owner Brad Stephens and he showed me this nifty little thing called a Mophie Juice Pack, and I fell in love.

Alright, so I did not fall in love all it once, but this is what I liked about it:

Mophie Juice Pack Perks

(cool stuff that matters to girls)

1. It is multi-functional, it has a protective case to combat the constant drops and dark recesses of my purse AND it has a battery pack

so your phone stays charged.

2. It is easier to clean that my OtterBox, which seems to attract make-up.

3. Oddly enough, the extra weight from the battery pack, makes me more aware of it and I swear I don’t drop it as much.

4. And my favorite…it is actually EASY to take on and off, so no breaking your nails or looking for a sharp object to pry it open like the Life Case.

So after Brad hooked me up with the Mophie Case I needed, with pink on it of course, I remembered my tendency to drop my phone in bodies of water…and the washing machine etc. Like you haven’t put your Iphone on the spin cycle?

So after my love affair with the Mophie Juice Pack simmered down, I found one of those cool AquaPac covers that keep your phone, tablet, you name it, dry and sand free. So now I am all set for the sunshine and my phone is beach ready!

What about you? Do you have any cool phone accessories good for summertime activities? If you do, please SHARE with your fellow PCB Daily friends, we want to hear about it!

Laketown Wharf to Undergo $10 Million Renovation

Looks like they’re trying to breathe some more life into Laketown Wharf. I have history with this resort and have always thought it was a fantastically interesting place. The developer certainly went big when it was developed and I’ve always thought it had huge potential.

There are several pools, the condos are large and quite nice and most of them have wonderful views of the gulf.

The renovations include adding new amenities including a grocery store and deli, leasing center, redecorated hotel lobby, conference/meeting rooms, business center, new pool and boardwalk furniture, family zone, owners’ lounge and arcade. Additional renovations include expanding the deck, adding new fountains and landscaping, opening the lake to the public and more. Plus, area residents and visitors should be on the lookout for Laketown Wharf turtles that will be coming to town soon. The project is expected to be completed by June 2013.

Full press release.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL (March 12, 2013) – Laketown Wharf, currently offering short- and long-term vacation rentals in the heart of Panama City Beach, FL, will undergo a $10 million renovation, adding new amenities including a grocery store and deli, leasing center, redecorated hotel lobby, conference/meeting rooms, business center, new pool and boardwalk furniture, family zone, owners’ lounge and arcade. Additional renovations include expanding the deck, adding new fountains and landscaping, opening the lake to the public and more. Plus, area residents and visitors should be on the lookout for Laketown Wharf turtles that will be coming to town soon. The project is expected to be completed by June 2013.

“The renovations at Laketown Wharf will make this a premier property in the area,” says Wade Hundley, CEO of ST Residential. “There’s no better investment than beach property and these upgrades are greatly increasing its value.”

The renovations at Laketown Wharf coincide with city improvements in the area, further increasing the investment opportunity in this incredible property. Laketown Wharf already boasts the area’s most comprehensive set of amenities with five pools, including one zero-entry pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, a 10th floor rooftop pool and an island pool secluded in the middle of a private lake, along with a spectacular nightly fountain and water show.

With spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, sweeping views and convenient beach access, Laketown Wharf offers all the elements of a great vacation home with the casual luxury and convenience of a resort. Additional resort amenities include 52,000 square-feet of lakefront boardwalk, a fully-equipped fitness center, covered parking and kids’ playground along with the sugar-white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. All hotel rooms are fully furnished and professionally decorated featuring 32″ flat screen TVs and high-speed internet. Every balcony faces the water, offering spectacular views of the Gulf, lake and golf course. And, with a playground overlooking the lake and seasonal kids’ programming through Kidz Club, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy at Laketown Wharf. Kidz Club offers a variety of activities for children ages four through 12 including a nightly drop off program, “dive-in” movies, crafts, games, poolside activities and more.

Whether it’s for a quick getaway or a lengthy stay, Laketown Wharf makes an unforgettable beach vacation attainable with great pricing and specials throughout the year. Weekly stays begin at just $500 for a one-bedroom, two-bathroom condo that sleeps up to four people; $700 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo that sleeps up to six people; and $900 for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom condo that sleeps up to eight people.

Nightly rates vary throughout the season and great deals and specials are often available. With a one-bedroom, two-bathroom condo that sleeps up to four people beginning at just $109 per night; a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo that sleeps up to six people beginning at $129 per night; and a three-bedroom, three-bathroom condo that sleeps up to eight people beginning at just $149 per night, Laketown Wharf is ideal for a quick escape to the beach.

Apartments are also available for rent, with leases ranging from seven to 18 months. One-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments start at $935 per month; two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments start at $1,195 per month; and three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartments start at $1,495 per month. Rent includes cable with HBO, trash and quarterly pest control services. Military discounts are available.

New retail space on the property will also be available for lease soon.

Huge Tween Music Fest Set to Boost June Tourism

Announced today, REAL.FUN.BEACHFEST will be held on June 1, 2013 and will host some pretty big names in music targeting the “tween” demographic. With the goal of kicking off summer tourism with a bang, this event will be held at the newly opened Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater.

Summer tourism is big business down here, but typically the first two weeks in June are markedly slower than the rest of the summer. Speaking from experience, events like these are huge for all those that rely on tourist traffic because they often times bring in people that wouldn’t normally come during that period, or come at all.

One of the funnest parts about this event is that it’s hosting family friendly music targeted towards kids, so it’ll bring the demographic we all love to our beaches.

The artists that are coming to Panama City Beach are The Wanted, Cody Simpson, Britt Nicole and DJ Alex Angelo.

Full Press Release

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLA., April 12, 2013 – Panama City Beach and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announce the first annual REAL.FUN.BEACHFEST on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the new Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater. Chart-topping pop music sensations The Wanted and Cody Simpson will be joined by breakout artists Britt Nicole and DJ Alex Angelo for an unforgettable summer evening of music on the Emerald Coast shores of Northwest Florida.

Fresh off a People’s Choice Awards win for Breakout Artists of the Year, and nominated for Best Music Group at the Radio Disney Awards, U.K. boy band phenomenon, The Wanted, will get crowds jumping with top tracks like “I’m Glad You Came” and “Chasing the Sun.” Fellow headliner and singer-songwriter Cody Simpson, a Radio Disney nominee for Best Male Artist and Best Crush Song, will keep the party pumping with songs like “Wish You Were Here” feat. Becky G. They’ll be joined by DJ Alex Angelo from Cleveland,Ohio, who will open the festival with impressive dance and DJ skills, and Britt Nicole, who has experienced major success through her inspirational lyrics and melodies.

Slated as an annual event for years to come, REAL.FUN.BEACHFEST will host 7,500 attendees at the new Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater as they flock to the stage to hear the hottest beats in paradise. Festival-goers will experience a night to remember as their summer of sun, fun and sand is capped off by incredible concert performances from today’s top artists.

Tickets may be purchased as part of an accommodations package from participating partners, or through general ticket sales beginning on Monday, April 22 at noon CDT,starting at $39.00 per person. Tickets and lodging packages may be purchased online at VisitPanamaCityBeach.com/RealFunBeachFest. General tickets are also available for purchase by phone at (800) 895-0071.

About The Wanted

Formed in 2009, The Wanted made their debut release in 2010 and have burst onto the scene as a British-Irish pop sensation. The group is made up of members Max George, Nathan Sykes, Tom Parker, Jay McGuiness and Siva Kaneswaran. Combining heavy beats, edginess and pop, The Wanted distinguishes themselves with exceptional instrumental and vocal performances for audiences of all ages.

About Cody Simpson

Inspired by the likes of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and Jack Johnson, Cody Simpson has taken his passion for music onto the international scene. AsNative of Queensland, Australia, Cody has already won over millions of fans with his albums, Coast to Coast and Paradise along with social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook. At age 16, he hasjoined forces in the studio with some of the music industry’s top names including Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Bruno Mars, and many more.

About Britt Nicole

BrittNicole’s journey to her own success began as a child growing up in Salisbury, North Carolina as a singer in the church choir. After high school, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a full-time singing career, releasing a pair of independent records, all by the age of 19. One of herrecent hits, “All This Time”, topped the charts on Christian contemporary radio for eight continuous weeks and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart. Nicole’s brand new album, Gold, pairs her positive faith with inspirational lyrics and melodies.

About Alex Angelo

Alex Angelo, also known as “DJ BEATBOY,” is a middle schooler from Cleveland, Ohio. His passion and talent for mixing music began at age 10 when he picked up his father’s ipad to find beats. Soon enough, Alex invested in some used DJ equipment that took his hobby to new heights as a young artist. He has performed as an opener for several notable musicians including Justin Bieber, Pitbull, Carly Rae Jepsen, Austin Mahone, Hoodie Allen and more.

Insider’s Tips for your Next Beach Trip

The Panama City Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau sent out an email asking for insider tips and it got me thinking about what I often tell our guests when they ask for the same thing. When I think of insider tips, I think of ways to save money, time and effort so that a vacation can be as easy and relaxing as possible.

Being in the property management business, I’ve learned over the years the best time of year to be here, the best places to stay and what to bring when you come to make things easier.

The best time of year to come.

This is the biggest question I get on a regular basis. Of course, the answer depends on a lot of things, like school schedules, whether you’re coming with your kids (or not), what you’re wanting to do while you’re here, etc.

Most come during the spring or summer time, based on school schedules for the kids, and inherent in the principles of supply and demand, rates and occupancy is higher during those periods.

But, if you’re willing to take the kids out of school for a vacation, or if you’re traveling without the hinderance of school schedules, you should definitely try the beach during a shoulder season.

What is a shoulder season?

A shoulder season is a time of year where it’s warm enough to justify a beach trip, but it’s not during a time when the majority of travelers can come down.

March is super busy and that business peaks out the first week in April and sometimes bleeds over to the second week. However, the remaining weeks in April and the first two weeks in May is a phenomenal time of year to be here and usually the beach is pretty quiet. Along with the fewer numbers of people here, property management companies and property owners are typically very willing to work a deal to keep their place rented. All you have to do is ask for the deal or make an offer.

Although, be careful with low-balling as some will see that as a red-flag that you won’t take care of their property.

If you prefer the Gulf waters a little warmer (mid 80 degree water temps as opposed to mid 70’s), you should definitely come in late September or October. The weather is fantastic, the water is still very warm from summer, there is almost no one here and rates are sometimes half what they are in summertime.

And as a general rule of thumb, if you’re looking for a 3 bedroom or larger place, book as far in advance as possible for the best deal. If you’re looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom, the best deals are usually to be had the closer you are to your arrival date.

The best places to stay.

Again, this largely depends on preference and what you’re wanting, but generally, if I can park the car for the week and walk everywhere, I’m a happy camper.

There are a lot of areas in Panama City Beach where this just ins’t possible, but if you can stay around Pier Park, you can easily accomplish this.

Here are some of the resorts around Pier Park that are easily within walking distance:

Most of these, are just a short walk on the beach to Pier Park, which offers pretty much all the dining, shopping and entertainment you could want while you’re not at the beach.

What you should bring with you.

Most of the accommodations options in Panama City Beach are gulf-front condos, homes and townhouses. When you’re staying in one of these options, typically you’re responsible for groceries and sundry items. And if you’ve done this before, you’ve probably got your first day grocery list all planned out already. 🙂

Typically check-in day is Saturday, and if that’s when you’re coming in, you know that evening the grocery stores are packed and mostly sold out of anything you’ll need. Savvy travelers come with the basics that will carry them through the first day or two and hit the stores after everyone else has frenzied the shelves and staff has restocked.

If you’re flying, this probably isn’t possible, but if you’re like the majority of our visitors, you’re driving. Pack enough toilet paper and non-refrigerated food items to get you to Sunday or Monday morning and you’ll save the headache of finding the grocer out of stock and waiting in super long check-out lines.

Also, plan your grocery trip for an early morning time, when it’s likely most others are wanting to be sleeping in after the previous day’s travels.

Have some tips of your own?

You’re a veteran tourist, right? Leave some of your pro-tips in the comments below!

Giveaway – Win 2 Four-Day Passes to 2013 Seabreeze Jazz Fest

We’ve talked about this year’s line-up to the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, we’ve gone over the full event schedule and last year we talked about some fascinating stats on this absolutely wonderful event. So, you have no excuse to NOT go this year. And now, we’re going to make going one step easier by doing an awesome giveaway!

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival’s kickoff is Thursday April 18th.

We’ve done TONS of giveaways in the past and this time around, we’re going to make increasing your chances of winning even easier!

But first, let’s discuss what we’re giving away.

What we are giving away.

For this giveaway, we are giving away two sets of 2 four-day passes to the 2013 Seabreeze Jazz Festival. To be specific, there are 4 tickets for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday going to TWO WINNERS. Each four-day pass is worth retail $200. However, each single day individual ticket is worth retail $80.

So, this could be a $400 value or you could look at it as a $640 value. Whichever makes you feel better! 🙂

Here is the very abbreviated event schedule:

Thursday – Gates open at 4 pm
Friday – Gates open at 4 pm
Saturday – Gates open at 10 am
Sunday – Gates open at 10 am

Multiple ways to enter.

Well, we’re all social people, right? Our Facebook page is one of the most active in the area with over 14,000 Likes. Our Twitter feed has almost 3,500 followers. So, in addition to opening this up here on PCBDaily.com, in the comments section (like we’ve traditionally done), we’re opening this up to our Facebook page and Twitter followers.

Here are the ways you can win:

Comment below about your past Jazz Fest experiences or future Jazz Fest wishes.
Share this post on Facebook and Tag PCBDaily in the post. Here is the url for this contest: http://www.pcbdaily.com/win-2013-seabreeze-jazz-tickets
- Or, you can just click the Share button to the left. 😉
Share the Facebook post we put on our Facebook page.
Tweet this: Win Free Seabreeze Jazz Fest Tix from @pcbdaily at http://goo.gl/RA0ZX

One more way to get free tickets.

You can enter, but you leave getting free tickets up to the odds of winning. But, for a limited quantity, if you book a beach condo with us on a three night minimum for that weekend we’ll give you 2 four-day passes too! In case you hadn’t noticed, we have Panama City Beach Luxury Properties and we’re booking up fast for that weekend!

So, just to summarize. If you book a condo with us and stay with us for at least 3 nights, we’ll give you 2 four-day passes to the Seabreeze Jazz Festival! This is a steal, especially if you’re coming down here anyway. And if you’re local, it’s a great excuse to get out of the house for the weekend!

Rules and other details.

Each entrant can enter once and only once (we can verify this by ip AND cookies) and must use a valid first name and email address if they enter in comments below.
Contest begins when this post is published and ends on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 5 p.m. CST.
We will be doing the drawing regardless of how many people enter.
A winner will be chosen at random. There will be 2 winners total.
By entering you are opting in to receive future newsletters and emails from PCBDaily and you are opening yourself up to the greatest resource for news and information Panama City Beach has to offer.
If you are selected and you do not respond to our email notifying you of winning 24 hours of the contest ending, then we reserve the right to either keep the prize for another giveaway in the future or award the prize to another entrant.
If you are selected from an entrant through either Facebook or Twitter and you do not respond to our notifications and contact attempts within 24 hours of the contest ending, then again, we reserve the right to either keep the prize for another giveaway in the future or award the prize to another entrant.
This giveaway is open to anyone in the continental United States.
We will not ship or mail the tickets, they must be picked up at our office listed below.
Our office address is 179 Griffin Blvd, Suite 107, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Read full rules here.

Beautiful New Listings on The Beach Show!

Hot deal #1 Beautiful custom home in bay front community – $354,900

4BD/3-1/2BA w/ 1st fl master suite, 2100+ sq ft, travertine flooring
Gas FP, upgraded SS appliances, under cabinet wine cooler, nice courtyard
Community boasts heated pool, fitness ctr, billiard room, dock on the bay
(Courtesy of Beachy Beach)

Hot deal #2 Beach ranch located on the lake on double lot – $299,900

Vintage 3BD/2BA w/ 2200 sq ft, terrazzo flooring throughout, large sunroom
FP, large living room, bright sunny kitchen, outdoor covered patio and shower
GREAT location just one block to the beach, hear the waves from your backyard
(Courtesy of Beachy Beach)

Hot Deal #3 Move-in ready all brick home in Riviera Beach – $204,900

3BD/3BA spacious open design home w/ 1636 sq ft, tile throughout
Tall ceilings, large bedrooms and bright kitchen w/ eat at breakfast bar
Partially fenced yard, covered patio and porches on front and back
(Courtesy of Century 21 Ryan Realty Inc)

2013 Seabreeze Jazz Festival Full Event Schedule

The Jazz Fest is coming up next week and they’ve got a sweet lineup and a new amphitheater to entertain at! This year’s Seabreeze Jazz Festival includes artists such as Brian Culbertson, Tower of Power, Average White band and is hosted by Alonzo Bodden. This event has been amazing in the past and promises to be the same this year.

Full Event Schedule

Thursday April 18th

Free Kickoff Show — Food Court Promo Area — Pier Park

1pm-3pm featuring Brian Lenair, Peet Project, Margo Rey, Yancyy, and Motown Jazz Jam

Thursday April 18th Gates at 4pm-Show at 5pm

5pm Steve Oliver

7pm Margo Rey

8:30pm Boney James

Friday April 19th Gates at 4pm – Show at 5pm

5pm Ken Ford

7pm Tim Bowman

8:30pm Fourplay feat. special guest Lalah Hathaway

Saturday April 20th Gates at 10am – Show at 11am

11am Brian Lenair

12:30pm DW3

2pm Peter White and Euge Groove

4pm Peet Project

6pm Brian Culbertson

8pm BwB (Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum, and Rick Braun)

Sunday April 21st Gates at 10am – Show at 11am

11am Roman Street

12noon The Southern Gentlemen

(Joey Sommerville, Michael Ward, and Eric Essix)

2pm Yancyy

4pm Average White Band

6pm Jazz in Pink featuring Pamela Williams, Althea Rene, Karen Briggs, Gail Jhonson, and more

8pm Tower of Power

Take a Sunset Cruise with the PCB Chamber April 11th

The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce prides itself on being different. Not only have they created a new movement in small business networking and development, but they are always looking for ways to improve. Next month, they are taking their new signature Idea Camp, aboard a 52′ foot Catamaran with Paradise Adventures.

Thursday, April 11th from 5 to 8 pm, all are invited, as space allows to join the PCB Chamber of Commerce for a “Sunset Think-Tank” as they take Idea Camp on the open water.

For more information about this event or to RSVP, as space is limited, call the PCB Chamber at 850-235-1159 or email: marta@pcbeach.org.

Panama City Beach Chamber members may attend for FREE, the cost for non-members is $20. Guests will gather at Paradise Adventures and fellowship together and enjoy hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 6, with the boat departing a few minutes before 6 pm and arriving back at 8 pm. There will also be light eats and a cash bar aboard the boat.

IdeaCamp, as started a few months ago, thanks to the generous support of Southwest Airlines, is an interactive think tank with focused networking and an ‘ideashare’ of great business dialogue. Last month, PCB Chamber members and friends convened at G.foley’s in Panama City for a night of sharing, learning, and networking.

“When IdeaCamp was created last fall, our initial goal was simple,” says IdeaWorks Chairman David Balmer, “We wanted guests to ‘walk away with more ideas for their business than they had when they arrived.’” The IdeaWorks Committee has already reached that goal, and has additionally created a unique networking event to inspire business connections and deepen those relationships. “The diversity of guests and speakers, who talk on a variety of business and leadership related topics, is what keeps this event interesting, fun and relevant,” says Balmer.

For a little taste of last month’s Idea Camp at G.foley’s, check out one of these video clips below.

This fun, interactive event is made possible by not only the folks at Paradise Adventures, but other generous sponsors such as: Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts, North Florida Financial, Dr. Myra Ancelet Reed and with food by Runaway Caribbean Grill.