Thunder Beach – Craziest Outfit Video Contest

Thunder Beach is here again and this rally is expected to be larger than ever. Every rally, I’m always amazed at how crazy some of the bikers that come visit our area look and how unusual looking some of their bikes are. So this year, we’ve decided to launch a contest, and we’re giving stuff away! I can’t wait.

So, here’s all the details.

Each day of Thunder Beach, starting Thursday, Cebo and I will be out and about shooting video and interviewing the most zaney, crazy and unusually dressed bikers on the beach. We’ll be getting the inside scoop as to exactly what attracts them to their apparel antics, what they are wanting to accomplish by dressing that way, and hopefully not get beat up while doing it.

At the end of each day, we’ll upload the videos for display right here on pcbdaily for all to view asking everyone to cast their vote in the comments section. In addition, the videos will be uploaded to our Facebook Fan page, so you can participate there as well.

So, if you’ll be in town, and you have an unusual style of biker-dress, shoot us an email and we’ll set up a time to meet. Otherwise, we’ll see you at the venues!

Click here if you want to receive notification by email whenever a new video is posted.

Here’s what we’re giving away.

1st-place Prize: Flip MinoHD – a mini camcorder that captures BIG action, in full 1280×720 HD resolution. The MinoHD weighs in at just over 3.3 oz’s and measures only 2 by 4 inches. This if perfect is you want to capture big video on a camera that fits in your pocket. Our staff has one and loves it. One of the coolest things about this camera is that uploading to YouTube is as easy as plugging the camera flip-out usb drive into your computer. Retails at $229.00. Sponsored by SeePCB.com. SeePCB.com is a new web site that our company, Too Creative, is launching to fill in the “blog-gap” in our area about information all about Panama City Beach. SeePCB is the ONLY way to See Panama City Beach online. SeePCB.com is everything PCBDaily can’t be providing full written experiences of what it’s like to come to Panama City Beach. www.SeePCB.com

2nd-place Prize: $70 Gift Certificate to Solace Day Spa in Pier Park – Well, actually, this was intended to be a $50 gift card, but they are offering a $20 gift card free to all that receive treatment there, so, they gave us permission to use that in conjuction with the $50 gift card they contributed bringing this prizes value to $70. With that amount, you can buy a 60 minute Elemental Nature™ Massage that includes a “personalized massage experience based upon the Aveda Elemental Nature philosophy and your favorite Aveda plant based aromas.”

3rd-place Prize: $25 Gift Certificate to Hofbrau Beer Garden – Hofbrau Beer Garden, located in Pier Park in Panama City Beach is our area’s only authentic German Beer Garden. Bringing Munich to the beach the “beer garden”, as it’s be come to be known serves authentic Bavarian dishes such as Schnitzel Wiener Art and Rouladen. Of course, you can’t forget their authentic German beer imported fresh by the keg including the Original, the Dunkel and the Weißbier.

We’ll see you at Thunder Beach!

Ron Jon Hosts Beach Cleanup, Gives Away Surf Board

Come hungry and ready to pick up trash because Sunday Morning, Ron Jon Surf Shop in Panama City Beach’s Pier Park will be hosting their 2nd annual beach cleanup. Coffee and donuts will be served and all that show up will automatically be entered to win a free surf board.

Last year participants came to support our area and show their appreciation for our beautiful beaches. When asked what spawned the idea, Dan Kirk, General Manager of Ron Jon said, “we just love the beach, that’s our area’s greatest assett and we always pick up trash anyway, so we thought this would be a good way to bring the community together.”

Dan said everyone should arrive at 7:30 am Sunday morning to coffee and donuts. They’ll then be escorted across the beach to pick up trash and clean up from around the city pier down to Barefoot Beach Club and back. All that show up to help clean up will be entered to win a free surf board. When they get back from cleaning up, the drawing will take place and one lucky winner will go home with a free beautiful board pictured above.

Recap: Gulf Coast Horse Show

This weekend’s 11th annual Gulf Coast Horse Show & Music Festival at Frank Brown Park on Panama City Beach proved again, even with fewer in attendance than recent years, to be a successful and classy event. Lots of people came out to enjoy the beautiful horses, talented riders and exciting carnival-style fun.

Tennessee Walkers and perfect weather had fans cheering on their favorites horses and riders. Delicious food, varying from freshly-fried seafood to corn-on-the-cob filled the air with festive scents while “Legends of The Beach” gave everyone a taste of “Carolina Beach Music.” But, truly, the people at Frank Brown Park came out to see the horses. Personally, I’d never experienced a horse show, but after spending Friday and Saturday at Frank Brown came out a fan.

The show was complete with stunt riders,Tennessee walkers and Missouri Fox Trotters. Riders were scored on all sorts of criteria involving things like the body movements of rider and tempo of the rider’s mounts. It was difficult for me to imagine scoring when all the horses and riders looked perfect. Scoring or not, it was a spectacular show that raised money for charitable causes, particularly, Anchorage Children’s Home, Hospice of The Emerald Coast, Gulf Coast Community College, & Habitat for Humanity. The next six years of the event have already been scheduled. So, if you didn’t attend this year, we expect you next year, April 21-24, 2010.

A few of notable Thursday blue ribbons were Ginger Simpson, from Alabama, won the western light shod specialty and Sister Milligan, a Panama City Beach resident, won the ride for amateur stallions, 15.2 hands and under, specialty. Below is a list of Friday and Saturday results.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 25

Country Pleasure:

1) A Thrill a Minute, Kim Lewis, Jim Leek

2) Masq Mayhem, Laurie Hudspeth, Laurie Hudspeth

3) Uptown Bandit, Connie McAdams, Preston & Kate Kelley

4) Soliderity’s Gold, Presley Janes, Fount & Lydia Darnell

5) Scratch My Back, Laurale Lowery, Charla Hurley & Libby Bond

6) Dangerous Gold Threat, Mardi Balloch, Balloch Mardi

Model Class:

1) Trigger Treat, Jeff Givens, JoAnn Dowell

2) Perfect Cut Jewel, Amanda Winters, Holly Thrasher

3) Arm’s Scarlett O’Hara, Robert Nelms, Jeff Laughlin

All in the Family (Pro or Am)

1) She’s Armed with Poison, Erica Derickson & Thomas Derickson, Thomas Derickson

2) Pushin Dollars & Cents, Tam Brodgon & Channing Combs, Ben & Lynda Brodgon

Amateur 4 Yr Old Stallion, Specialty

1) 9 Yard Blitz, Laura Cochran, Tim & Laura Cochran

2) I’m Joe Friday, Ed Breedlove, Keith Breedlove

3) Smokin Hot Charge, Fancee Spence, Mark Taylor Family

Mares or Geldings, 15.2 & Under, 5 Yr Old & Over, Canter

1) Mama’s Almight Dollar, Mickey McCormick, Katie Esters

2) I’m Dangerous with Cash, Justin Harris, Richard & Gail Greere

Speed Racking Open

1) Greased Lighting, Maghan Snow, Eddie Snow

2) Gaitway, Amy Rothe, Ralph Wood

3) Stomper, Eddie Snow, Eddie Snow

Ladies Amateur, Specialty

1) Bold Venegance, Heather Beard, Judy McDonald

2) C-Me Push, Sister Milligan, Sister Milligan

3) Jose’s Emblem, Whitney Breedlove, Barry Breedlove

4) Miss Professor’s Generator, Lydia Darnell, Dave King

5) Lucky Sadie, Frieda Widner, Scotty & Freida Widner

Amateur Owned & Trained, Specialty

1) Jazz Eclipse, Justin Harney, Harney Construction LLC

2) Your Wish Is My Command, LaRue McWaters, LaRue & Ann McWaters

3 Yr Old Stallions

1) On Maximum Security, Charlie Green, Walkabout Farm

2) Doing Life, Justin Harris, Walker Walking Horses

WHOA Youth Challenge

1) Showboat’s Silk, Alex Way, Showboat Production LLC

Amateur Show Pleasure, Specialty

1) Godfather By Ultra Copy, Alie Napier, Dr. Morna Conway

2) Sundrops Legion, LaRue McWaters, LaRue & Ann McWaters

3) Super Willy, Belinda Garzarek, Blenda Garzarek & Lisa Hall

3) Jose’s Sweet Pepper, Ashley Adcock, The Stables at Alphaplace

Lite Shod, Championship, Canter

1) Prime Fashion, Ginger Simpson, Tumbleweed Ranch Kim & George Lewis /Simpson

Amateur 5 Yr. Old & Over, Canter

1) Jose Grande, Gail Walling, Judy McDonald

2) Watch for Glory, Erica Derickson, Erica & Maria Derickson

3) Ebony’s Threat Prince, Tristan Wagner, Tristan Wagner

4) Let Go and Push, Scotty Widner, Scotty & Freida Widner

Amateur Specialty, Riders 50 Yrs & Over

1) Perfect Pattern, Mona Vice, Mona Vice

2) The Dangerous Commander, Sister Milligan, Tommy & Sister Milligan

Trail Pleasure 2 Gaits, Trail Walk, Eng. or West Attire

1) I’m Benny Too, Tim Brooks, Tim & Terry Brooks

2) Digging 4 Dollars, Allison Oliver, Oliver & Simpson

3) Aesop, Kristi Payne, Kristi Payne

4) Beams Generator Rye Whiskey, Connie McAdams, Preston & Kate Kelley

5) Fine As Wine, Svanah Martin, Joyce Patterson & Svanah Martin

Amateur 2 Yr. Old Mares or Geldings

1) We’re Ebony & Ivory, Dr. Lynda Brodgon, Ben & Lynda Brodgon

2) Beam Me Up Jose, Ginger Williams, Ginger Williams

Amateur 2 Yr. Old Stallions

1) Man of Stone, Ed Breedlove, Alan & Lorie Riddley

2) A Supreme Justice, Alex Way, Double B Farms

3) Designed by a Specialist, Alie Napier, Jimmy Reece

Groom’s Class

1) She’s Out on Parole, Anton Bowen, James Carlew

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SATURDAY, APRIL 26 (Final Results)

Stick Horse Class – Best Stick – Best Costume

Black Diamond Ritz, Bryleigh Gray, Ralph Wood

Bocephus, Cheyenne Vickers, Ralph Wood

Gator, Madison Vickers, Ralph Wood

John Deere, Will Neeley, Will Neeley

Pink-a-lecious, Drew Hampson, Drew Hampson

Purp-a-Lecious, Tyler Hampson, Tyler Hampson

Sally, Riley Greggory, Riley Greggory

Sparkly, Elaina Fisher, Elaina Fisher

General, Katy Marie Fisher, Katy Marie Fisher

Yearlings Studs

1) Out for Parole, Keith Reed, Allen Curtis

2) Connie Mack, Rollie Beard, Hurley & Akridge

3) Five Star Gunn, Robert Nelms, Dr. Morna Conway

4) A Yardstick, Roger Richards, Bobby & Freda Jones

5) My Final Decision, Mandie McFay, Chad & Mandie McFay

Yearlings Filly’s

1) My Cowgirl Dale Evans, Roger Richards Jr., Roger Richards

2) Raw Silk, Robert Nelms, Carol Hargett

Weanlings Open

1) America’s Major Debit, Robert Nelms, Vicki Penick

WHTA Amateur Mares or Geldings, Specialty, Riders 12-17

1) Mama’s Almight Dollar, Katie Esters, Katie Esters

2) Showboat’s Silk, Alex Way, Showboat Production LLC

3) Pushin Dollars & Cents, Channing Combs, Ben & Lynda Brodgon

4) Ebony’s Threat Prince, Tristan Wagner, Tristan Wagner

Park Pleasure – Open

1) Cashing in at the Ritz, Betty Laughlin, Betty Laughlin

2) Jazzin Papa, Grandy Tuck Sr., Rufus Dale

3) Sunfires Pheonix, Ginger Simpson, Dr. Morna Conway

Mares or Geldings, 15.2 & Over, 5 Yrs. Old & Over, Canter

1) Ms. Jose Walks, Charlie Green, Sister Milligan

Open Pleasure

1) Digging 4 Dollars, Allison Oliver, Oliver & Simpson

2) Showboat’s Duramax, Jeff King, Jeff King

3) Jest Tuff E Nuff, Tori Blankenship, Tori Blankenship

4) Prairie Goldust, Betty Tricarico, Betty Tricarico

5) TrixieTrax, Cathy Warren, Cathy Warren

6) Winchester’s Iron Man, Tori Tanner, Tori Tanner

7) PS Just a Jester’s Jewel, Linda Paschal, Linda & Terry Paschal

7) Tradition’s Golden, John Brandreth, John Brandreth

WHTA Amateur Mare or Geldings, Specialty, Riders 11 Yrs & Under

1) She’s Armed with Poison, Thomas Derickson, Thomas Derickson

2) Moonstruck Dollar, Reilly Miller, Brenda Little

2 Yr Old Championship

1) Chrome Dollar, Charlie Green, Ben & Lynda Brodgon

2) He’s Ritz N Cash, Sammy Day, Suzie Harmon

Open Spotted Saddle Horse Specialty

1) Battle’s Top Gun, Ginger Williams, Ginger Williams

2) Seminole’s Gusty Wind, Laurie Hudspeth, Laurie Hudspeth

Missouri Fox Trotters, Mares 3 Yrs. Old & Over, No Canter

1) Blackberry Brandy, Jane Goble, Jane Goble

2) PS Just a Jester’s Jewel, Linda Paschal, Linda & Terry Paschal

3) Prairie Goldust, Betty Tricarico, Betty Tricarico

4) TrixieTrax, Cathy Warren, Cathy Warren

5) Tradition’s Golden, John Brandreth, John Brandreth

6) Sundust’s Princess, Tori Blankenship, Tori Blankenship

7) Jester’s Princess, Helen King, Helen King

8) Redrock’s Amber Rose, Ira Rashkin, Ira Rashkin

Amateur Show Pleasure, Specialty, Championship

1) Godfather By Ultra Copy, Ginger Simpson, Dr. Morna Conway

Open, Specialty

1) Ice Hot, Sister Milligan, Sister Milligan

Amateur Ponies, 60″ & Under, Specialty, Rider 17 Yrs & Under (W.H.T.A.; Youth Council, Appl. Avail)

1) Silver Design, Alex Way, S.D. Partners

2) Watch for Glory, Thomas Derickson, Erica & Maria Derickson

MO. Fox Trotters, 3 Yrs Old & Over, No Canter (Studs & Geldings)

1) Lady’s Prince, Gary Shapiro, Gary Shapiro

2) Amtrax, Bud Blankenship, Nancy Atkinson

3) Jest Tuff E Nuff, Tori Blankenship, Tori Blankenship

4) The Kanses Kowboy, Dr. John Brandreth, John Brandreth

5) Ace’s Wild Card, Leslie Emery, Leslie Emery

6) Winchester’s Iron Man, Tori Tanner, Tori Tanner

6) Pride’s Blaze of Glory, Suzette Rashkin, Suzette Rashkin

Speed Racking Flat Shod Class

1) Gaitway, Amy Rothe, Ralph Wood

2) Greased Lighting, Maghan Snow, Eddie Snow

3) Stomper, Eddie Snow, Eddie Snow

Amateur 3 Yr. Old Championship

1) Crush, Whitney Breedlove, Blake Breedlove

2) A Moving Violation, Ginger Williams, Ginger Williams

Field Trial Tack & Attire

1) Masq Mayhem, Angie Bell, Laurie Hudspeth

2) Pushin True Colors, Belinda Garzarek, Belinda & Roy Garzarek

3) Soliderity’s Gold, Presley Janes, Fount & Lydia Darnell

4) Striker’s Firey Match, Laurie Hudspeth, Laurie Hudspeth

5) 88, Alex Way, Sister Milligan

6) Linebacker, Winston Way, Sister Milligan

Pro-Am Specialty (Am 1st Way, Pro 2nd Way)

1) Jose Grande, Gail Walling & Buddy Dick, Judy McDonald

2) I’m Joe Friday, Ed Breedlove & Brad Beard, Keith Breedlove

3) 9 Yard of Major Trouble, Nora Alexander & Mickey McCormick, Harbert & Nora Alexander

4) I’m Street Legal, Laura Lester & Andy Simpson, Gary Lester Family

5) A. Seabiscuit, Stacy Terry & Joey Tackett, Danny Terry

Amateur 4 Yr Old Specialty Championship

1) Getting’ Out on Parole, Gail Walling, McDonald & Walling

2) 9 Yard Blitz, Laura Cochran, Tim & Laura Cochran

3) Head of the Line, Drake Reynolds, Drake Reynolds

Mo. Fox Trotters Stake, No Canter

1) Blackberry Brandy, Jane Goble, Jane Goble

2) Lady’s Prince, Gary Shapiro, Gary Shapiro

3) Amtrax, Bud Blankenship, Nancy Atkinson

4) TrixieTrax, Cathy Warren, Cathy Warren

5) Jest Tuff E Nuff, Tori Blankenship, Tori Blankenship

6) Prarie Goldust, Betty Tricarico, Betty Tricarico

7) Winchester’s Iron Man, Tori Tanner, Tori Tanner

8) PS Just a Jester’s Jewel, Linda Paschal, Linda & Terry Paschal

8) Jester’s Princess, Helen King, Helen King

8) Showboat’s Duramax, Jeff King, Jeff King

8) Ace’s Wild Card, Leslie Emery, Leslie Emery

8) The Kanses Kowboy, Dr. John Brandreth, John Brandreth

Young Trainers

1) An American Outlaw, Sam McLaughlin, Jan Wagaman

Amateur Specialty Championship

1) Don Julio, Alie Napier, Tim Napier Family

2) C – Me Push, Sister Milligan, Sister Milligan

3) The Willhamina, Mona Vice, Mona Vice

Walking Horse Championship, Open

1) Lined Walkin, Justin Harris, Joey Tidwell

2) Ms. Jose Walks, Charlie Green, Sister Milligan

3) Another RPM, Rob Brainard, Larry Grissom

4) Steal Justice, Jack Way, S.J. Parnters / Ellison & Beard

The Mystery of Selling Condos – SOLVED!

In order to sell anything, you have to create demand. Not only do people have to know its available, but they need to have a desire for the product. There must be a demand for the product you are trying to sell.

How do you create demand? You have to create demand through scarcity. People have to value your product and beleive that your product can’t be had anywhere else. Now, there are tons of variables here, especially when if the product you are trying to sell is condos. For instance, one has to consider not only price, but the quality of the resort. One must consider the possibility of replication and whether they can get something of similar perceivable value for a lesser price in the same general area.

4 years ago, developers and sales teams created scarcity through having a unique product that wasn’t overly prevalent. Of course, the frenzied market helped the sales stories along when buyers were turned away because developments were sold out. Today, scarcity is created by offering a unique product that can’t be had anywhere else, or a product that is superior in quality.

For real estate today, how do you create scarcity with a surplus of inventory available? You create scarcity through value. If you want to sell real estate today, you have to be the best value on the market, with value being determined by a delicate balance of the quality of the product and its price. Of course, one has to keep in mind that as unique as a property may seem to the developer, sales agent, Realtor, etc., there is always something that is equally unique available on the market to most people.

Ok, so say you have found that sweet spot in the world of pricing. Let’s throw a number out there, say, $250/foot – you are successfully selling your condos for $250 per square foot. There’s not a frenzy, but you’ve got a steady stream of interested people and you actually have 10 or so contracts in the pipeline. What should you do? I mean, there’s demand, you don’t want to risk leaving money on the table right? Maybe you should increase the price of the existing inventory just to be sure, right? Wrong!

You’ve found something that works, you’ve done something right that has had a positive result. What you were doing was successful. At this point, if you change, then the result of that change will be different than the result of what you were already doing, and that’s bad. The result of what you were already doing was that condos were selling, if that changes, then that means that condos are NOT selling – and that’s NOT good.

Here’s the kicker. As soon as you raise the price, you lose the velocity that you had when the price is right, and quite possibly, sales may have halted all together. The real problem comes in when all of a sudden, sales have stopped, you scratch your head, and all the while, prices are still coming down, week by week, month by month. Not only that, but your credibility has been tarnished a little. The buyers that were looking at your product aren’t that interested anymore, they are looking elsewhere to see if there’s a better deal (and there’s always a better deal, in this market).

Then, suddenly, it hits you. You realize that when you raised the price, that’s when your velocity slowed, so you decide to put the prices back to where they were. Condos aren’t selling at $250 a foot anymore. Uh oh, what’s that sweet spot now? Well, it’s at $230 a foot, you just lost $20/foot AND time. You disrupted your velocity and it’s going to be hard to get it back. Things were starting to roll forward, increasing their pace, rapidly, but you stopped it wanting to maximize profit, but what happened? You ended up losing more money, tarnished your credibility and wasted a lot of time, which equates to more money lost.

Hey, I’m no different then the next guy. I don’t like to leave money on the table, but in order to survive in today’s market, you have to have your long-term glasses on. You have to look into the future and realize that prices may still be falling, you have to expect that, you must anticipate that condo prices will not increase for the foreseeable future.

With that said, if you happen to find a price that results in sales, then you have to sell as many as you can as fast as you can. A great lesson can be learned here from large-scale condo real estate auctions. When the auctioneer finds the sweet spot in pricing, he doesn’t sell ten, then raise the price. He knows that if he does, everyone will just leave. If you find the sweet spot in price, you have to sell as many as you can as quick as possible and be glad its over. Otherwise, you’ll be sitting on inventory that not only costs you money, but prevents you from making money too.

What’s the old adage? If it ‘aint broken, don’t fix it.

Existing Home Sales Better than Expected

More good news on the housing front this week as reports on new and existing home sales both beat analysts’ expectations and showed signs of a bottoming despite a monthly decline for March. Possibly the best news this week was Wednesday’s report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency that showed home prices actually edged up .7% from January to February for single family residences.

These encouraging housing reports coupled with some better than expected corporate profit reports have reignited the stalled rally on Wall Street sending stocks higher for the week. The gains for stocks, however, came at the expense of the bond market with the ten-year Treasury note getting pounded sending the yield to right at 3% in Friday trading.

Mortgage rates, while slightly higher, have managed to resist the rise in bond yields thanks to the Fed’s ongoing program of purchasing up to $750 billion in mortgage-backed securities. Rates remain near record lows, and we are even beginning to see some relief in the Jumbo market where rates have remained stubbornly close to 7% for thirty-year fixed.

I have some interesting anecdotal news this week as well. I actually had two bidding wars break out this week over a condo and a single family home I was trying to finance – something I haven’t seen since before the crash. This further convinces me that this market has bottomed and is on its way back up. I am seeing more appraisals make value and, better yet, come in above sales price, which is another sign of a resurgent market.

The challenge remains the strict underwriting standards and shortage of loan programs that have choked off what would otherwise be a flood of business. I am closing primarily condos but, for every ten applications I take, three may go beyond the pre-approval stage and actually close due to the limited financing options available. Yet as more and more of these deals get closed, and as more buyers rush to snap up the bargains before rates begin to rise, the crippling “distressed market” designation should eventually be lifted for Florida real estate. This is crucial to providing our potential customers the same access to the mortgage programs and less-stringent underwriting guidelines enjoyed in our neighboring states.

Youth Fishing and Free Hot Dogs

This Saturday, April 25th from 10 am until 1pm, the city of PCB Parks and Recreations department will host a youth fishing rodeo. Kids under 16 are invited to come out and enjoy the weather, the park and the fishing. There will be free hot dogs and giveaways. The Fish Florida Foundation will be providing free rods and tackle boxes to participants to help promote responsible fishing practices. This event is open and free to the public.

Frank Brown Park is located at 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy Panama City Bch, FL 32413

For more information call (850) 233-5045

Thunder Beach Will Be Huge. Thanks Myrtle Beach

If you’ve been aching to don that new leather vest and harness boots, ache no more. On April 30^th Panama City Beach shall rumble, heralding the return of the Thunder Beach Spring Rally. From end to end, families, riders, celebrities, artists and some of the most spectacular bikes in the world will cover the beach.

Regarded by many as the “most biker friendly free rally in the United States”, the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is always a big event. But this year’s event may be the best and biggest Panama City Beach has ever experienced and Myrtle Beach may have a lot to do with it.

As many of you know, Myrtle Beach is Panama City Beach’s largest competition when it comes to bikers and rallies. But by the looks of recent law changes, they might be getting out of the business. Recently, a 3 million dollar property tax increase was passed in Myrtle Beach to fund anti-rally efforts. That’s not the half of it. Myrtle Beach has also added new laws declaring unpermitted rallies and events to be public nuisances, created a midnight curfew, closed bars at 2 am, required all motorcyclists to wear helmets (not a requirement under state law), towing and impounding all motorcycles that do not meet noise standards, checkpoints where motorcycles will be monitored for noise, and traffic diversion such as barriers and closed streets. So what does all this mean? Basically, it means a bigger rally for Panama City Beach, and I’m sure the local businesses will take it.

“We’re definitely expecting huge turnout this year.” Says Corky McCollum, A Thunder Beach Productions coordinator. “We’ve got bigger events, more venues and the total numbers of vendors have increased considerably.”

The schedule for bike week is substantial and the venues cover the entire beach. The list of venues include, Shoppes at Edgewater, Club La Vela, Sandpiper Beacon, Boardwalk Beach Resort, Sharky’s, Pier Park, Rockit Lanes and Frank Brown Park.

And the events this year are family-friendly. There will be demos all over the beach particularly the Harley Davidson Drill Team at Pier Park. They’ll be teaching and doing all sorts of stunts. If that doesn’t make you want to jump into your chaps, at Club La Vela, Speed Channel’s Jay Barbieri, host of American Thunder, will be hosting a televised “Build Off” allowing two bikers to pick any parts from their accessory demo rig to amp-up their bikes. Suckerpunch Sally, an old-school bike manufacturer will be giving away one of its beautiful custom bikes during a VIP party at Ebro Greyhound Park. At Frank Brown Park X-game enthusiasts can witness firsthand the amazing jumps seen on television as stunt bikers hit ramps and the “Ball of Death”. Live bands will be playing at all the venues. Everyone is welcome to come out to enjoy the events and, if nothing else, gawk at some amazing bikes.

Without doubt, the Thunder Beach Spring Rally is expected to be a success. So I guess, if things go as planned, we should all head to Hallmark, get a nice big thank you card and send it to Myrtle Beach. I’ll be the first to sign it.

New Additions to Pier Park

As if it were physically possible for Pier Park to get better, it just did by adding a few new features everyone will enjoy.

Here are the new additions:

The Miracle Strip Carousel – This carousel was purchased from an auction of the equipment used at the Miracle Strip Amusement Park, which closed in 2005. The carousel is a 1964 Allen Herschall 36-foot model featuring 30 horses and 2 chariots.

Transportation Booth – Owned by a local entrepreneur, this booth offers surrey rentals and Pedi-cab rides throughout the Pier Park property.

Train – Don’t miss out on the five-car train that travels up and down Pier Park Drive. Hop on to rest your feet and enjoy a tour of the property.

Euro Bungee Jump –This dynamic bungee experience slings groups of four people at a time 35-feet into the air!

Coconut Tree Climb –Up for a challenge? Grab your friends and see who can scale this 30-foot simulated coconut tree the fastest!

Spider Mountain –Spider Mountain welcomes children of all ages to safely scale up to 35-feet using a labyrinth of ropes, nets and safety harnesses.

Manhattan-style Hog Stand –Enjoy delicious refreshments like hot dogs, cotton candy and an array of drink options after a fun afternoon at Pier Park.

If you haven’t yet ventured out to Pier Park, or even if you are a frequent visitor, now is the time to grab the family and check out these new additions. Not only has Pier Park added attractions, but new stores as well. Feathers Shoe Boutique has recently opened while fashion retailer Rue 21 and Spring Ridge Welcome Center will debut in May. Happy shopping.

Business Expo at Edgwater Draws Big Crowds

Job seekers and business owners alike came from all over teh Panama City Beach area to brush shoulders and talk about the future. Businesses in attednance ranged from Neves Media and ViaMedia to Musgrove Flowershop and Beach Scene.

“The economy is bad and I’m just looking for a job,” said one attendee. Although most businesses in attendance weren’t there to “hire”, many locals came hopeful for an opportunity to again bring home the bacon.

“Do you know why everyone here is just here for the free stuff,” one local busines asked me. “Is it more than usual,” I asked. Their answer was without hesitation, yes.

Just about anything could be seen on the show floor. A man, who after blowing up a 6 foot baloon, stuffed himself inside it, stuck only his head out and presumed to dance around. Girls where spotted wearing anything from brown bags, boxes and even bikinis, spelling of sun tan lotion – everyone goaled at promoting their business.

“We had around 2,000 people come through Business Expo yesterday. 103 businesses exhibited, which is 25% up from our last Expo in 2007 (Superheroes). Everyone loved it, from the Green Room which showcased the “green” side of Bay County with recycling, green and sustainable practices, nature, and eco-excursions, to the booths and costumes decked out with “The Nature of Business” theme, to the Green Entertainment (Todd Herendeen and his band) to Edgewater’s “Global Cooler” martinis! Most of the Exhibitors gave away prizes including massive gift baskets, facials and cosmetic procedures, several months of free storage units, T-shirts, teddy bears, portraits, kayak and canoe trips, and even a Hobie kayak! The event was deemed a huge success and everyone had a really good time.” – Marta Rose

I was talking to Noel at Cyber Sytes and he was telling me these events are big for them because it gives them another opportunity to promote business to business and network with other local business owners. Hmm, looks like PCBDaily should’ve had a booth there. Maybe next year?

Miracle League Field to be Complete by Tomorrow

As workers methodically and swiftly lay down the hexagonal rubber-pellet blocks the painting crews were preparing to paint the in-field of the new Miracle League Baseball Diamond at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach. The field is expected to be complete by the end of the day tomorrow.

The field has been under construction for a few months now with the asphalt paving having gone down about 30 days ago. Late last week crews began putting down the rubber blocks, one piece at a time. The entire field is comprised of 30,000 blocks covering 15,000 square feet. The pavers are made of recycled rubber from tires and other disposed rubber products. The garbage rubber is ground into small pellets, cleaned and compressed into a form and held together by an environmentally friendly bond.

Every ten feet, a row is glued down to prevent shifting, but all the others are free floating so as to ease repair or replacement over the years. “We guarantee our surfaces for 5 years, but we have some that are 10 year old that still look fine,” said Jose Rodriguez, Director of Sales and Business Development for Sofscape, the company that is installing the field. “In five years, if the paint begins to fade, you just repaint it and you have a new field.”

As of this post, they had the template forms down for painting the infield. When complete, it will look like a regular baseball diamond with the bases painted on. The entire surface will be flat so as to allow kids in wheelchairs to be able to roll around the bases. If the wind stays down like it was when I was up there, they’ll paint this morning.

As I was leaving, I was talking to Jeanie Quave, the Broker at Edgewater Beach Realty, and we were discussing all the great memories this field will be home to. Many kids will have an opportunity here that they did not have before, and the new field will be home to many great memories for these kids and their families for the rest of their lives. I think it is great the positive impact that this will have on the community, and I commend all those that were involved in making this happen.

On a side note, Jeanie was saying that they still need someone to donate a flag pole and flag, so if there is anyone that is willing and able to do so, please help.