The Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tourist Development Council has retained the services of Jennifer Barbee Inc. to build the new VisitPanamaCityBeach.com web site. Thursday, January 8th from 1 to 3 pm a public meeting will be held at the Bay Point Marriott with representatives from JB Inc. and YPartnership to solicit public input.
I’ve added this to the calendar in the sidebar.
You can be sure I’ll be there.
Singer/songwriter and Grammy nominee, Jamey Johnson played at Tootsies in Pier Park Friday night. “His guitarist called me at 4 pm and asked if they could play that night,” said Stephen Dibble, “they ended up staying and playing two sets, it was a great night.”
Tootsies Orchid Lounge originated in Nashville, TN and was made popular by their openly encouraging artists to just “stop by” and play a set. With roots that include country music legends such as Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings, today, it isn’t uncommon for big-name artists to drop in for a “hollar and a swallar.”
With the birth of Pier Park, Tootsies realized the perfect opportunity to expand into a growing area and be a part of a development unlike anything in Northwest Florida. Pier Park brings tremendous adventure to all those that are wanting to shop, eat, be entertained or take part in an awesome New Year’s Eve party.
The customary norm that has made Tootsies so famous in Nashville has rubbed off on our little location in Panama City Beach with the appearance of Jamey Johnson Friday night. I can’t say with confidence that he is the first big name that has dropped in, but I can say that he is a high profile and very talented artist.
Currently he is ranked in the top ten on Billboard.com for country songs and is expected to grow in popularity in the coming weeks. A few weeks back, he appeared on the David Letterman show and has made several “best” lists in 2008 including Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 08, AOL’s Best Album, New York Times Best Album list, DallasNews.com best CD and tons more.
Talking to Stephen, he said that the touring season starts in a couple months and we should expect more artists of this caliber this season. I’m currently working with Tootsies to keep all of you up to date as to what is happening there. If you haven’t been, you should check it out. I was there New Year’s shooting some footage (forthcoming) and it was so packed, we could hardly move.
One has to wonder how public education in Florida will be transformed by decreasing enrollment and a shrinking state budget (Enrollment down 30,000 at Florida’s public schools). Some people are discussing doom and gloom scenarios while others argue the tough times will encourage us to find more efficient ways to educate our kids.
We probably can’t do much to change the economy, but we can work together to come up with innovative approaches to provide high quality education at a reasonable cost. Some of the latest approaches include on-line “virtual” schools, international models and back-to-basics options. In each model, the goal is to teach more job specific skills for less money.
In addition to changing the way we teach our children academic subjects, some experts suggest we should rethink how extra-curricular activities are organized and funded. In the January 4, 2009 News Herald article, What is in their wallets, Pat McCann talks about cuts to high school athletic programs. If we continue to run the programs with the same approach without large budgets, the quality will erode quickly. Some pundits suggest we can provide the same or more attractive options by allowing outside organizations to offer these services. In Europe, for example, professional sports organizations run youth teams. In the US, national and regional sports organizations could possibly fill this role.
The thought of different types of schools and extra curricular options is a bit unnerving. However, in the current economic environment, creativity and flexibility are important. If we want our kids to have the best options, we will all probably have to start thinking outside the box.
I promise that I’ve got some great stuff on the Pier Park Beach Ball Drop New Year’s Eve Party. I promise to get up a video ASAP. The event was unbelievable. There were thousands of people there.
The marketing team at Pier Park did an amazing job of putting together a great event, Dan Rowe and the CVB did an amazing job of getting the word out – we interviewed many that were from out of town. Margaritaville presented the whole event, and them along with the other sponsors, the whole thing was well supported and very well received.
Again, kudos to all those involved – it was a huge success.
With a new baby, the Christmas Holiday, the New Year’s holiday and now we’re moving to a larger house that better fits the needs of our growing family, I’ve been super tied up, but promise that things will get back to normal next week.
Happy new year everyone, and thanks for reading.
Well, if you were watching earlier then you know our broadcasts were riddled with little bugs.
Maybe we’ll get it next year.
We’ve been getting tons of video footage all evening and promise a great video documenting the whole evening.
I sincerely apologize to all those that were counting on this to stay connected with us. You, the readers, have made this site what it is and we very much appreciate the support.
Have a happy new year and by 2009 bring you much success and tons of fun.
Jason Koertge
850-319-1172
Sent via BlackBerry – I know, I sold my iPhone.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008, we will be broadcasting live video from our camera, through the internet and onto pcbdaily.com, specifically this post, or on the TV page. We will do a broadcast every hour on the hour starting at 5 pm and going through the night. We will probably do some shots in between as the action unfolds or as we see fit. Most of the evening will be played by ear.
I have several guest appearances lined up throughout the night and look forward to having a lot of fun. If you are planning on being out there, and you see us, flag us down and say hello.
If you can’t be there, watch the night unfold right here on pcbdaily.com. Below, the live feed will play when we broadcast. If we don’t come up automatically, you may have to hit the refresh button in the bottom left of the player.
Be safe, have fun, and we’ll see you New Year’s Eve.
I was out at Pier Park today scoping the grounds for our live production tommorrow for the first ever Panama City Beach New Year’s bash that is being presented by Margaritaville.
Pier Park has done an amazing job of putting together a great party for everyone in Panama City and Panama City Beach to enjoy. I was talking to Berna-Liza, Sales and Marketing Manager for Margaritaville and remarked that this is the first time Panama City Beach (as long as I’ve been here) has done something like this that the whole community can come together and celebrate this once-a-year holiday.
There will be something for everyone. If you are a drinker, there will be tons of places to party, if you are a family person, there will be bouncy houses and open areas to play, if you are a loner, there will be tons of people there to keep you company. I love it, I can’t hardly think about sleeping tonight.
The family time, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, will play host to stilt walkers, face painters and live music playing on the main boardwalk area AND in the open area in front of Bootleg BBQ and Starbucks. Then, at 9 pm, the countdown party will begin with more live music and prizes given away from the stage in front of the beach ball every 20 minutes.
The beach ball is an illuminated 8 foot ball with the Pier Park logo on it that will be suspended 120 feet in the air. As midnight approaches, it will be lowered by a winch, ringing in the new year. At the exact moment the ball hits the ground, fireworks will shoot off on the beach just next to the pier that is currently under construction.
I’ll be there, along with a buddy of mine, Lou Columbus, shooting video, taking pictures and having a grand ‘ol time.
See you at Pier Park!
That’s right, you read correctly. We’re moving on up in this world. We will be broadcasting live from Pier Park in Panama City Beach on New Year’s Eve.
So, if you have nothing else to do but sit in front of your computer on New Year’s Eve, then you can spend it with me at Pier Park. We’ll be doing a live video starting every hour on the hour beginning at 5 pm. Each broadcast will be a minimum of 5 minutes. We’ll have some guests on the show, and we will be video taping all the action.
The first annual New Year’s bash at Pier Park is sponsored by Panama City Beach’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Margaritaville. With live entertainment, dazzling holiday lights, and a fireworks display, this will be the place to be in Panama City Beach on New Year’s Eve.
Starting at 5:30 and going until 8 will be family time. There will be bouncy houses from Beach Bouncers, stilt walkers, live entertainment, face-painters and more. At 9 pm the countdown party will begin with the climax at the Beach Ball drop and a spectacular fireworks display.
Of course I will get the whole event on video, from all around Pier Park.
In order to view the live feeds, go to the TV page. Also on the TV page, I will put up a tentative schedule in the next two days.
2008 has been a monumental year for us at pcbdaily. We’ve seen super awesome growth, expanded our content base tremendously and have reached out to more people than we had ever expected.
Looking back, the top stories covered good times and bad, with some of the bad times being good for others and some of the good times being bad for some.
4 of the top 10 articles talked about new additions to our area, namely Pier Park and the new Panama City Bay County International Airport (I know, we need a new name, and that will be addressed in 2009).
Walking around the mall, it is sometimes hard to imagine that this time last year, Pier Park’s roads were not even paved yet. Colorful buildings had been erect for some time, but the mall as a whole was still just under 2 months from opening. Looking back, it amazes me how quick somethings get done.
The new airport has hit milestones aplenty during 2008. Just a little over a year ago, the airport groundbreaking ceremony took place. When 2008 rolled in, the airport was caught in a legal battle with the NRDC and the Fiends of PFN.
In what was expected to draw out for months, the case was totally thrown out on January 25th, clearing the Airport Authority for construction immediately. The case was in many instances described as frivolous, and was not taken seriously by the judge. Opponents touted the failure of an affirmative vote in a non-binding referendum vote, but were never able to validate the fairness of the actual vote in regards to it being represented to all those affected.
For the new airport, 2008 brought the site from a stumpy, patchy 4,000 acre site to a cleared, grubbed site that is almost completely brought to grade with terminal parking installed, foundation work for the terminal complete, an asphalt-paved runway with some concrete and funding for a full 10,000 foot runway.
As the economy has plunged during 2008, so have real estate prices. Now, this has been a topic of hot debate on pcbdaily. I’ve oft been blasted by the Realtor community for spreading “bad news” and not “helping” the market by taking part in the media frenzy of negativity. However, the reality is, those that are complaining should be putting that energy into finding buyers because now is a great time to buy real estate.
Plunging prices mean good deals for all buyers. I understand the hesitation and skepticism, but things will not always be this way, and in 10 years, us agents will be doing our homework on baypa.net thinking to ourselves that we should have bought as much as possible back in 2008 and 2009 when prices were so cheap. 3 of the top 10 articles of 2008 were specifically about condo auctions in Panama City Beach. The Palazzo condo auction story took the cake, trailed by the Ocean Reef Auction and the cancelled Marina Landing auction. The Seahaven auction actually made it in the top 15 and is only a few weeks old.
The other 3 articles of the top 10 articles of 2008 on pcbdaily have to do with problems at local condos and the condo market as a whole. Laketown Wharf has been a sore topic for many with the developer being a self-proclaimed Trump with a Drawl – Jerry Wallace.
A largely vacant, 750 condo, elephantine monolith, Laketown Wharf actually had great aspirations, with some possibility of success had it come unto creation mid 2004. With huge swimming pools, a Balagio-style fountain/light show, a 650-seat live performance theatre, 5 restaurants and 1,000’s of square feet of retail space, it was planned to be almost a small town.
With less than 70 closings, it has been largely regarded as a complete and utter failure, but Laketown Wharf yet has a bright future with Corus stepping in. 2009 should bring something good for that development, hopefully.
Anyway, enough – enjoy the articles and looking back on 2008!
10.) Marina Landing Auction – CANCELED
9.) New Airport is on Schedule – Construction Update
8.) 35 Condos Sold at Ocean Reef Auction
7.) Pier Park – Margaritaville Grand Opening in Panama City Beach (video)
6.) Construction Update – New Panama City Bay County International Airport
5.) 50 Palazzo Condos Sold at Auction on Panama City Beach
4.) Problems at Nautilus Cove Condominiums?
3). Panama City Beach Condo Market Analysis After The Palazzo Auction
There’s still time…
As 2008 is quickly drawing to a close, there are still buyers who are “on the fence” about signing that purchase contract right now. If you are considering purchasing a home for your personal residence, probably the most important reason to purchase before the end of the year is the ability to file for homestead exemption for the year 2009. This will provide a substantial tax savings, not only for 2009, but for the entire amount of time you intend to use the property as your personal residence.
In addition, the homestead tax exemption was recently raised to $50,000 per tax year and is now “portable” for those homeowners who would like to move up to a larger home or downsize for retirement. For additional information, please contact the Bay County Property Appraiser’s Office at http://www.baypa.net.
There are many additional reasons to buy in Bay County even if you miss the December 2008 deadline for homestead purposes: low interest rates, very affordable housing, a $7,500 tax credit for first time home buyers, and others. Look for additional information on these great opportunities in the upcoming weeks of 2009.
Have a safe, happy and prosperous new year.
For more information, please contact Sandy at 850-303-1825 or sandythompson10@comcast.net. You can also visit her websites @ http://www.ringthebelles.com and http://www.sandythompsoncondos.com.
PCBDaily 