Pier Park Opens More Retailers in June!

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high-quality retail real estate, will celebrate more than 15 exciting retailer and restaurant openings this June at Pier Park, the 900,000-square-foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).

New specialty shops scheduled to debut include the following:

Ann Taylor Loft
As Seen On TV & More
Bellies N’ Babies
Chico’s
Cost Cutters
Counts-Oakes Realty
Footprints Coastal Decor
Hana Japan
Maurices
Peace Frogs
Popcorn Kingdom
Reggae J’s Island Grill
Regions Bank
Rocky’s South Philly Cheesesteaks
Shimmering Seas
Tran Fashion

Check after the break for a full list of open retailers.

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Local Chef Serves up Cuisine at BamJam

Local chef Shawn Barrera served up mouth-watering creations this weekend for celebrities such as ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd June 5-7, 2008 at the BamaJam Music & Arts Festival. Barrera, known locally in northwest Florida for his excellent skills as chef and food and beverage specialist at The Resort Collection, makes his debut at BamaJam this year preparing a variety of tasty foods for the musicians backstage in the VIP tents at the popular music festival. As a resort that strives for quality, we are thrilled that this off-site catering event will begin to spread the news that our resorts offer this service,” said Paul Wohlford, V.P. Sales and Marketing for The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach.

With 18 years of food and beverage experience at distinguished resorts, Barrera is creating culinary delights backstage for ZZ Top, Hank Williams, Jr., and Trace Adkins to name a few. Barerra currently manages and organizes all food and beverage functions at The Resort Collection restaurants including Oceans Bar & Grill at Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort, the H2O Bar and Grill at Majestic Beach Resort, two markets, several pool bars, a Pizza Hut and 90,000 square feet of banquet space within the resorts. Barerra earned his culinary degree from the prestigious Pennsylvania Culinary Institute and worked at several nationally reputed restaurants like Patina and Daighilev and the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles before coming to the Resort Collection eight years ago.

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FSU's Flying High Circus is open to the public – video

Last night was the opening show, I wish I was there. I’ll be there tonight paying full price with my family.

Showtimes are at 7 Monday through Saturday until August 2nd. General admission is $24 for adults and $16 for kids 4 and up.

Click after the break for a video.

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Crist OKs State Funding Allocation for the Panama City Airport

On Wednesday, Governor Charlie Crist signed a $66 billion budget that included $12 million for the construction of the new Panama City Bay County International Airport and the road that connects it from Highway 388.

The Panhandle Citizens Coalition had written a letter to Crist explaining why he should veto the funding for the new airport citing, as reported by the News Herald, that the airport was voted against in a non-binding referendum and that it has been under litigation.

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The Clouds of Summer in Panama City Beach – Timelapse video

I’m sure this happens every year around this time, but this is really the first time I’ve noticed it – huge, beautiful cumulus clouds.

Everytime I’m outside, I’m completely captivated at how beautiful these clouds are.

Apparently when the warm ocean air blows inshore and rises to meet the cooler air at a higher altitude, the water vapor condenses and begins a rising/falling behavior that results in the formation of these huge cumulus clouds.

Again, one of the neat things about our area that makes it so beautiful.

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Grand Lagoon National on Panama City Beach

The newest sport fishing event on Panama City Beach, the Grand Lagoon National will debut this summer August 20 – 24.

From the website:

The Grand Lagoon National is really eight tournaments in one. Organizers are convinced that the unique format will appeal to virtually every kind of saltwater fishing enthusiast. A Big Game division, crafted to attract million dollar yachts and experienced competitors, will hunt for the elusive giant Blue Marlin, the Swordfish and the large Tuna that populate the Gulf’s summer waters. A Catch and Release category will also be provided for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Swordfish and Sailfish. An Offshore Division will fish for Wahoo, Dolphin, Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack. An Inshore Division, limited to boats of twenty-nine feet in length or less, will fish for Red Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack and King Mackerel. To appeal to devotees of the Bay, a Flats Division will feature a Spanish Mackerel, Trout and Redfish competition. For visitors to the beach, families and those who love to bottom fish, a Party Boat Division will fish for Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack and will host a special Junior Anglers’ contest. What is being billed as “America’s Saltwater Fishing Tournament” will even include a special Dive Division for those who like to fish below the waters of the Gulf.

Bill Spann, who founded and for twenty-three years served as Chairman of one of the nation’s most recognized fishing tournaments, the Bay Point Annual Billfish Invitational, will serve as Tournament Chairman of the new event and is convinced that it will quickly establish itself as a tournament no serious saltwater enthusiast will want to miss. “The breadth of facilities, quality of fishing and the inclusiveness of this format justify the name “Grand Lagoon National”.

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