Limerick’s Irish Pub Plans to Stay Up By Keeping it Down

You may not know of Limerick’s Irish Pub by name, but you know the address: 6628 Thomas Drive, home to several previous businesses, the most recent being Buckwild Saloon and The Shaggy Marlin both closed due to complaints from nearby residential area. You see, Limerick’s sits on what may be the most ambivalent location on all of Panama City Beach, perfect for drawing big crowds on Thomas Drive with very little adjacent competition while facing a row of seasonally-packed condos. At the same time the location is smack-dab in the middle of a quiet and easily angered residential area.

The stories behind the location have been many. You may remember when the property was known as Buckwild Saloon the establishment was sued Bay County and had its owners arrested on charges of violating a revamped noise ordinance. Residents in the area complained that the bar was too loud and its patrons overly raucous. There were also complaints of overflowing parking making it difficult, if not dangerous, getting in and out of the street. Buckwild owners agreed to renovate the property and change it to Shaggy Marlin by adding parking lot noise barriers and changing the building focus from a bar to a restaurant (although they still charged for cover). While loved by locals who didn’t live in the Thomas Drive area, the Shaggy Marlin was sent to court a second time during Spring Break. Officials said the Shaggy Marlin violated the prior agreement being both noisy and not operating primarily as a restaurant. Needless to say the place was put up for sale with Counts Real Estate Group, Inc and tagged with a stern warning from Bay County Commissioner Mike Thomas that whoever purchased the property must live by the guidelines set in the agreements with its previous owner.

All that bring us to now, the property has since been sold to a bank, leased to its current proprietors and dubbed Limerick’s Irish Pub. The name change has only been a part of an honest-to-goodness transformation. Since the property has been in opened, February 09, there have been no complaints. That time period includes Spring Break and Thunder Beach. Limerick’s, like its predecessor, still offers live music, only on the weekends, but the chosen bands are not quite as mosh-pit-inspiring. The bands also play only indoors. I personally spoke to several patrons and employees who all felt that the newly name and updated venue has serious potential or longevity. For one, the food is great; Limerick’s may very well have positioned itself as the best place on the beach for icy Appalachian oysters and a mojito. They’ve added security and decided to close its doors by 2 AM. In order to help drive business, instead of using the upper floor bar as another music-driven area, they’ve changed it into PCB’s only venue for the amateur poker league, free to the public. On top of all that, the proprietors have been in negotiations about purchasing the next door parking lot for added safety. One gentleman I talked to, who happened to be one of the complainers during the Buckwild-Shaggy Marlin era, said he now enjoys walking down the street to the Irish spot for the Beef and Guiness soup and a few oysters.

I’m glad to see such a great location for locals not go to waste. What do you think?

An Exercise in a Positive PCB

Positive things are always happening on Panama City Beach, ventures that provide a real service to the community. Here at pcbdaily, we want to acknowledge them and their efforts. This shout out goes to Lord’s Gym at 1616 Allison Ave.

Lord’s Gym is a no-obligation sports center for adults and teens funded on a donation basis. And if you think because it’s free this gym has to be paltry, think again. They offer 10,000 pounds of free weights, a full circuit of hammer strength weight equipment, treadmills, ellipticals, stairmasters, indoor basketball and a pool table. To top it off, they have a nice café that sells cappuccinos, sports drinks and free wireless internet. This is only part of the Lord’s Gym program. The LG provides a positive and safe environment for teens and adults and emphasizes a goal to build people up on the outside, but more importantly, on the inside.

Imagine if you are a single mother and want to work out to stay fit. In order to maintain your fitness you’d have to buy a gym membership and buy childcare. In today’s economy, that’s enough to keep you on the couch. But Lord’s Gym, in addition to being a no-obligation donation based gym, offers $2.00 per child childcare for kids ages 6 months to 5 years every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. All the childcare teachers are background checked so you can work-out without worries.

The most important service, I believe, is a teen hangout called, The Spot. Every second Tuesday of the month, teens ages 12 to 19 years of age can hang out at THE SPOT at the Lord’s Gym. There is free pizza, snacks, drinks, pool table, playstation, basketball, and more. The only thing they are required to bring is a signed Lord’s Gym liability waiver.

All this is donation based with a singular goal of providing adults and kids a positive environment to get fit body and mind. I spent the afternoon working out and playing basketball and I have to say, the donation to the positive cause was well worth it.

Lord’s Gym is located at 1616 Allison Ave. For more information please call 230-9030.

They also offer:

Aerobics Classes

Every Thursday we offer two types of classes.

Walking Class Thursday 9:00 – 9:30 AM

This class is for all fitness levels. Especially beginners.

Optional: Bring a pair of 1-2 lb wrist weights to burn more calories.

Circuit Training Class Thursday 9:45 – 10:30 AM

Breaking News! New Double Indoor Flowrider Coming to PCB

Hot off the press – pcbdaily’s press – an indoor double Flowrider is coming to Panama City Beach. Think surfing year-round, think surfing whether the water temperature in the Gulf is tolerable or not, think surfing whether it’s raining or lightning outside, or think surfing if you just don’t feel like paddling out. I’m thinking surfing because I can’t surf for real.

Being a veteran snowboarder remembering the days of the early 1990’s of me and one other guy on the whole mountain learning to snowboard, getting practically run over by skiers hating on the, what they thought, new sport. I always wanted to skate, but frankly, I sucked at it. I read all the magazines, wore the cool clothes, listened to the music, liked riding my board, but I couldn’t do any tricks for the life of me. Or maybe I just wasn’t dedicated. Snowboarding was everything I wanted – a board that was attached to my feet and a padded landing (sometimes). I rode passionately every chance I got for 10 years (growing up is Dallas offered me this opportunity twice a year at best).

Fast forward to moving to Panama City Beach in 2001. “Surfing is just like snowboarding,” a friend told me, “you’ll love it.” Well, it isn’t, and I don’t. It always seemed like too much work for not enough playtime. I was spoiled with the sometimes seemingly endless downhill bouts riding fresh powder. I gave it another chance when my wife, who is an avid surfer, convinced me. Same results. I did however find a new comprimise to my longing for the snow – wakeboarding. Yet, I’ve only been once. That day will always linger in my head when I got “up” after the third try and rode for hours. Everything about the control of the board was familiar – I loved it. Too bad that was almost three summers ago, and I haven’t gone since.

Fast forward again, to today. A new double Flowrider is coming to Panama City Beach, and it will be indoor. Talking to Jeremy, who’s working on the development and operational side of this new attraction, he said, “the best way I can describe it is a jet engine shooting water up a ramp so fast you can surf it.” The title on the main page of the Flowrider website describes it as “sheetwave attractions.” They vary in size and even in wave dynamics, but they all provide healthy doses of fun. If you’ve ever been on a Royal Caribbean’s cruise, chances are you’ve run into one.

Driving down Middle Beach Road, right across from Wal-Mart and where Tony Roma’s used to be, you’ve probably seen a video sign that says Shubee Flowrider. That’s it. Right there in Miracle Strip Loop will be where all the indoor surfing action can be found starting sometime early summer. “If everything works out right, we’ll be open sometime in June,” said Jeremy.

Prices haven’t been set yet, but they are estimating the cost to be around $20 per session. Each session could last for up to 1 hour. Inside, there will be observation areasall around the attraction, two party rooms and a retail area including gear and apparell.

Welcome to Panama City Beach, Jeremy!

Halloween Fun for the Little Ones

There are great options for Halloween this year.

Before heading out the door remember to grab your camera, video camera, flashlight(s), glow sticks, candy bags, an extra tube of face paint and wet wipes. Where would we be without those wet wipes?

‘Malloween’ at Pier Park
From 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31
Bring the kids out for trick or treating, a costume competition, festival maze and special treats.
Sign up at 6 p.m. for the costume contest. There are three age categories, as well “scariest,” “most creative” and “best-all-around” categories. So get out that glue gun and get creative!

Panama City Mall
Let the little ones terrorize the Panama City Mall in their quest for candy.
Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m.

Monstrous Halloween Celebration at Rosemary Beach
(Not located in PCB, but just across the bridge for those who live on the West end)
Trick-or-Treat, from 4-6 p.m.
Let the little goblins trick-or-treat in downtown Rosemary Beach. Visit Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’ Fashion and Toys and have their Halloween photo taken.
Monster Bash, from 6-8 p.m.
Join the fun at The Summer Kitchen restaurant. Children $5, adults, $10. Cost includes scary food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Two other restaurants, Wild Olives and Cowgirl Kitchen are hosting Halloween specials for the big (21 and older) kids.

‘ZooBoo’ at ZooWorld
From 4:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 1
Free, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Probably one of the most anticipated events of the year (at least in my house). What is spookier than trick-or-treating with lions and tigers? Get ready for a wild night of fun.
The costume contest begins at:
6 p.m. = ages 3 and younger
6:15-6:30 p.m. = ages 4-10
6:45 p.m. = ages 11-15
7 p.m. = 16 and older

If I left out your favorite event, please let me know!

Photo credit: Euart by a Creative Commons License.

The wonder of Shell Island

One of the Emerald Coast’s finest treasures

No trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, is complete until you’ve taken a day trip to Shell Island. This undeveloped 700-acre barrier island is just a short boat shuttle from St. Andrews Bay. The island is actually a part of St. Andrews State Park. The sugary sand is so white you’ll think you are seeing snow! Lazing on the beach, snorkeling, nature walks and shell collecting are just some of the ways you can enjoy this pristine wildlife sanctuary.

You can spend an hour or all day here, but there are no facilities other than a snack boat stationed near the shore. So “go” before you go! You may wish to pack a picnic lunch and beverages, but leave your sleeping bags and tents back at your condo! If you miss the last shuttle at 5 p.m., you’ll be bedding down on a sandy beach with the local wildlife. And I don’t mean college kids.

Some of the locals I speak of consist of the world’s largest population of bottlenose dolphins, just offshore. Don’t be surprised if while you snorkel, fish or sit on your wave runner, that some of these beautiful, docile creatures swim up to you. Do keep your distance and just enjoy their antics. Try to resist petting or feeding them, it’s illegal. But take as many photos as you like.

The island itself plays host to a number of wild birds. Pelicans abound here, as well as sand pipers, gulls, and piping and snowy plovers. The warm clear water is teaming with sea urchins, and colorful tropical fish. You will certainly want to snorkel here.

The rock jetties provide safety and shelter to a wide variety of animal life. Graceful sea hares and slugs, as well as hermit crabs, can be found in as little as 2 inches of crystal clear water, near the rocks. You may also be fortunate enough to see the loggerhead sea turtles and endangered green sea turtles. If you find a nest, be sure to alert your shuttle captain, in case it hasn’t been recorded. The Choctawhatchee beach mice may also pay you a visit.

If you are fortunate enough to go shelling here, please collect only uninhabited shells. We want the sea creature population to continue thriving. So many shells, so little time! You can find sand dollars, conch shells, olive shells, horseshoe crabs, blue, ghost and stone crabs, moon snails and fighting conchs, just to name a few. A great time to collect shells is after a storm. I’d suggest bringing along a mesh collection bag, along with collection sticks (a long wooden or plastic handle with a net on the end, for collecting shells).

Other items you’ll want to pack in your beach bags are, bottled water, snacks, sunscreen, cameras, snorkel gear, towels, and the most important of all, vinegar. I don’t mean to alarm you, but I want you to be aware. From time to time, the Gulf coast will have a migration of jellyfish and it’s a good idea to inquire before you head out into the water. I’ve never been stung, but the ocean is their turf, and jellies have more rights to this natural habitat than you do. The water is very clear and most likely you’ll see them before you encounter them. Jellies can float anywhere along the whole coast of Florida, but stings are generally minor to nil. Keep your eyes out for the occasional man-of-war jelly. Their sting can ruin your day, but I’ve found few of them here. Application of vinegar, followed with a rinse of seawater, not fresh, will help neutralize the sting. I never head to the beach without it. Always head warnings from officials, and pay attention to the beach flags. Purple flags signify dangerous marine animals in the area, such as rays, jellies, sharks, etc. I’ve yet to see a purple flag flying in the wind, but maybe I was lucky.

Back to the sand. The pure white sand of Shell Island will not burn your feet! The bright white powder-soft sand was stunning. It’s so clean it squeaks as you walk through it barefooted. Because of its color, the sand stays comfortable under your feet, even on the hottest days. Sea oats and grasses help keep the sand from eroding and it’s strictly prohibited to pull it up anywhere in Florida. There are no shelters here, so if you burn easily, you may also want to bring along sunscreen and an umbrella.

Shell Island is what this slice of Florida’s Panhandle used to be. Before man brought the condos, merchants and restaurants here, the residents flew and swam and crawled along these virgin shores. We are so fortunate to be able to share, if only for a day, the warm sand and temperate waters with the creatures of Shell Island and St. Andrew’s State Park. I look forward to returning next summer. I’ll bring my picnic lunch, my towel and my camera. I’ll go if for no other reason than to capture one precious moment in time, while I can. I pray that the true natives of this land continue to enjoy their home.