Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-03-10

Juliann bennett giving the tdc board an earful – Photo: http://bkite.com/05myN #
Juliann bennett says the tdc needs to be paying to keep the beach clean. “You raised the collection tax and said you would keep it clean” #
Andy is showing pictures of trash all over the beach. Its really quite disgusting. #
Andy phillips says that the trash on our beach during spring break is a shear disregard for the environment. #
In new beach cleaning program, they’ll rake the sand every week during peak season and right before and after july 4th wknd #
Russ smith said that they are having surge in reservations for avp pro volleyball tourney #
Off to the TDC meeting. Interested to hear all about the new bed tax and how it will be used. stay tuned for live tweets! #
Uuggh. Sleepy. Time change gets me every year. #
@ShipWreckIsland I’m your newest fan. Become a fan of pcbdaily – companies.to/panamacitybeach in reply to ShipWreckIsland #
Just totally redesigned the pcbdaily newsletter. be sure to sign up! http://tinyurl.com/cbej8z #
No mosquitos yet, but plenty of noseeums. #
Going to frank brown park for baseball game. Heard it is a mosquito pit. Wife says she’s getting eaten aive #
with warm 76 dgre weather, the sun is out and spring breakers are sure to be having a good time. I’ll be at the boardwalk taking pix later. #
I started editing the footage of the runway paving video. Should be done tomorrow. #
Foggy morning. Still adjusting to the time change. Off to the gym. #
Front beach road is getting a new surface east of walmart – Photo: http://bkite.com/05ksP #
@amyers breakfast point is the name of the piece of land behind it on the bay. Not sure where the original name came from. #
@DustinBryson let you in when? today? maybe I should try again. Typically new restaurants/shops welcome free press. I hear their great. in reply to DustinBryson #
@StefBarron bootleg rocks. Josh the owner-just a great guy. #
@eightfifty yea, I worked right through my time. When I called the manager basically said sorry charlie. Not sure about that guy. #
@knutlinke everyone seemed to have lavela on their lips. Miss newbys seems to be a favorite #
@amyers don’t disagree with you. There was some debate when they decided to name the school BP. Many thought it sounded snooty #
Going home. Too old for this. Past my bedtime. Look for hi rez pix soon #
Just leaving lavela. Glad I don’t live like this. Kids everywhere. And many of them are scary looking #
No action at boardwalk, but is that normal at night? I wouldn’t know. #
Security just approached me on top of laketownwharf garage. Asked if I was a spring breaker contemplating a jump. “Taking pitchas” #
Hardly any cars over here. Must be “clubin” – Photo: http://bkite.com/05ic6 #
Some girl just walked by me on front beach road and said that it was illegal to be taking pictures. She must not be in college #
Strip is busy, but not packed. – Photo: http://bkite.com/05i9s #
Beach police hidden, watching over the streets of panama city beach – Photo: http://bkite.com/05i87 #
Just saw beach police making kids poor out beer on side of front beach road. #
alright, you caught me. I’m testing out a new notification system for social links. #
Over 1.8 million kids are on spring break this week nation wide. We will see 10’s of thousands of them in Panama City Beach. #
today was the second largest spring break check in day of the season. next saturday will be the largest. #
getting ready to go check the spring break action at boardwalk in panama city beach #
alright, now I’m leaving to check out the spring break action at the boardwalk beach resort in panama city beach, look for twitpics! #
What a great day to be outside. I love panama city beach – Photo: http://bkite.com/05gFu #
Beautiful day to be outside. 67 right now. Going to frank brown park to play bocce ball. #
Mmmm. Oh yea, five guys – Photo: http://bkite.com/05fIW #
check out our vimeo channel at http://vimeo.com/pcbdaily for videos of the new airport and panama city beach #
@eightfifty did you go to RR today? I had an invite, but an appt got in the way and they couldn’t reschedule me! in reply to eightfifty #
@inSocialMedia thanks for the follow #
@lou1492 I have to agree Lou! This is not what outsiders need to be seeing! in reply to lou1492 #
Man o man, 70’s and sunny weather outside in panama city beach. I bet the spring breakers are happy now! #
@jasoncrouch thanks for the follow! #
#tropigal thanks for the follow! #
totally researching on all the possibilities of Twitter. I’m constantly amazed at how many different ways it can be used. #
@IronWorksMag thanks so much for the follow! #
@guykawasaki Wow, Guy, thanks so much for the follow! The Art of the Start will be here Monday, looking forward to the read. #
@Mike_Dillard Thanks so much for the follow! #
I love working in my pj’s! Trying to knock out a custom web site for a client tonight. 2 hours until bedtime, then up and at ’em again at 5 #
Juat got out of my appt, no boardwalk today, maybe tomorrow? #
I’m at regency towers. Their pool is a steamy 85 degrees today. Man is the weather nice. 66 outside. #
Headed out to an appointment, then going to stop by boardwalk and check the action! #
Twitter Dance! http://tinyurl.com/99cmpl #
Check out pictures of Beach Tennis on Panama City Beach: http://tinyurl.com/buynq7 #
@espivey who’s he? in reply to espivey #
@espivey I love roadtrips! my fam and I just took one two weekends ago. have a great trip in reply to espivey #
@MichaelEck thanks for the follow bro! #
clean & jerk today http://tinyurl.com/dkce25 off to the gym! #
Back to work! #
@jerryeyler check pcbdaily for video of this. I actually have footage of the paving process on my comp that I need to make into a video #
@TakinPitchas I’ve got that feeling right now. It has been pumping through my veins all week. #
@dannyintampa I’d be interested to know how you occupied the whole day on twitter. I’m sure I could learn something! #
off to bed! #
Working on something totally new for our area. What is it? I’m sure you’d like to know! #
mmmm, cup cakes. I love working at home. Thanks Ash! #
http://twitpic.com/1uksi – Panama city beach beach tennis rules #
http://twitpic.com/1uj3m – Beach tennis on panama city beach at sharkeys #
Beach tennis is “far easier to learn regular tennis.” #
http://twitpic.com/1uhx0 – At sharkys to meet with pcb sand sports and beach tennis #
Heading over to sharkys to talk beach tennis. Skies are deep blue and the temp is 60 in panama city beach #
You just can’t replace working while listening to some 90’s grunge rock. Too bad it doesn’t work the time. #
@Celephias thanks for the follow! #
@tlmpcb thanks for the follow! #
49 degrees outside and getting warmer. come on sun, warm up our beaches! #
Be sure to check out Grills gone Wild 2 at Frank Brown Park on Sat 3/14. Benefits the new Miracle League Baseball Field #
Dude, I’m off to bed. Right On! #
@knutlinke You’re not kiddin’. It is supposed to warm up as the week moves on. Getting tired of this 40’s and 50’s crap. in reply to knutlinke #
dude, what’s up with the chilly weather in panama city beach this past week? We need warm weather for the spring breakers #
Adding apps like a crazy foo in facebook. And Tweeting from it too! #

Redfish Riviera – Monthly Fishing Report

The month of March can be hit or miss for weather but can be very exciting for inshore or offshore fishing. If you are headed out into the blue water, do not forget to check the weather before heading out. The Gulf can turn into a washing machine without notice and turn a great day on the water into a nightmare.

Keep in mind that Black / Gag Grouper season is closed until March 31st and Red Grouper is closed until March 15th. AJ’s are the hot bottom bite. They can be caught in about 80 feet of water over wrecks. In addition to the AJ bite, you are sure to have fun with the triggerfish and beeliners this month. Please check you FWC regulations prior to your trip for updates.

Going to troll or pole the flats? A slow reel is the key – flats fish aren’t fond of cold water. Some trout may be caught on the flats but you will find the majority of the catch to take place in deep holes of 10 to 15 feet, around structure / docks, around canals and inlets. I find that a jerkbait on a 1/4 oz jighead or live shrimp is the ticket.

The bays are covered up with bluefish. The blues will hit anything thrown their way. Also, Sheephead are in the bay around docks and in the pass around the jetties. The best way to catch these sheephead is to rig with a light leader and small circle hook. I have found it favorable to scrape barnacles off pilings and docks then start fishing with sand fleas. If the sheephead see your line your done!

snapp-2 Redfish are being caught in bayous on oyster beds and docks. Some smaller reds are making their way to the flats but the bigger reds are still in deeper water. Just throw a 4 inch Berkley Gulp or live pinfish around docks and the jetties. I suggest – if you are fishing in the pass, fish the outgoing tide, a one ounce SPRO jig and hang on – look for diving birds, as those big bulls are lurking below. There have been some reports of slot reds being caught on the flats using top water plugs.

The Dan Russell Pier is currently closed for construction. The Pier is scheduled to re-open Summer of 2010.

TOURNAMENT NEWS

100_4111-300x228 Melvin and Buffington Brave the Storm to Win Emerald Coast Redfish Club’s First Series Event 20+ knot winds, thunderstorms, and a tornado watch made for horrific fishing conditions as Panama City Beach hosted the first stop on the Emerald Coast Redfish Club’s Tour. Jason Melvin and Brian Buffington found a way to capture the win and emerge as the Tour’s first leaders of the season.

“The weather was a concern on Friday before the event,” said Team Redfish Riviera’s Captain, Daniel Snapp. The weather folks were calling for 20+ knot winds, seas 6 to 8 feet and protected waters rough all day Friday and at 4:00 am Saturday morning – they were right!

Taking everything in consideration, the first event of the year, severe weather conditions and a new location at Bay Point Marina in Panama City Beach – the tournament ended up a huge success, said Tournament Director, Mike Schweppe. We ended up launching 32 of the 33 boats expected for the event.

Team Redfish Riviera, presented by Southern Peanut Producers and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, listed two teams for this event. However, the boat captained by Sean Fields ran into early engine problems and left he and his partner, Co-Owner of Team Redfish Riviera, Steve Bailey on the dock. “I am very disappointed,” uttered Captain Fields. We will be back and will give our sponsors, Redfish Riviera, Southern Peanut Producers and Margaritaville something to rave about. Team Redfish Riviera, captained by Daniel Snapp brought in one fish to give them a top ten finish.

Team Redfish Riviera, presented by Southern Peanut Producers and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville look on as their fish is weighed for a top ten finish.

Topping off the event was a second place finish by the 2008 IFA Gulf Coast Division Champion, Fred Myers and his partner Pete Turner. For more information and official results, please visit http://www.theredfishclub.com. The next event is scheduled for March 28th in Pensacola Beach, Florida.

New Publix, Office Depot, Dunkin Donuts almost ready

Only months away from opening, the new Publix, Office Depot, Dunkin Donuts and other soon to be announced businesses at the intersection of Beckrich and Back Beach Road are nearing completion more every day. Scheduled to open late spring, the front of the main building structures are almost done and looking nice.

The curb work is in and the ground prepped for paving, which should happen in the next couple of weeks.

St. Joe releases new Golf memberships in Wild Heron

When St. Joe purchased the Sharkstooth club house, tennis and beach club the community was all a buzz about the change in memberships. At that time the only way to get a full golf membership was to either buy a home that had an existing membership through transfer and purchase or to buy an approved St. Joe property. That was not received very well by the community since many home owners assumed this was a privilege that would always be afforded to them.

Fast forward and now St. Joe is now offering several golf, tennis and beach club memberships to Wild Heron owners as well as those that would purchase property in the community. As a past club member and owner in Wild Heron I believe this is a great idea for the health of the community. As a Realtor I have had several people that have wanted to buy a particular piece of property and without a membership possibility that was less attractive. I will tell you that the golf course is great, the community is one of a kind and the neighbors are second to none.

Please click here for more information about the membership offerings and remember to call your favorite Realtor to check out Wild Heron and if you do not have a favorite Realtor I would love to help you. Karen Smith with Beachy Beach Real Estate at 850-527-5651.

TDC Meeting – To Discuss Bed Tax Collection Allocation

On the agenda for the regularly scheduled TDC/CVB combined meeting for Tuesday, March 10 at 9 am is an update on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, and the review of allocation for the Tourism Bed Tax Collection. Hmm, I wonder what that means.

You can download the agenda here. Or, you can view it below:

AGENDA

COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 9:00 a.m. Council Room, PCB City Hall

I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

A.    Invocation
B.    Pledge of Allegiance
C.    Approve Minutes From the February 10, 2009, and February 16, 2009 Meetings

III. REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AGENDA ITEMS (3 Minutes)

IV. UPDATE ON BED TAX COLLECTIONS, Ms. Charlene Honnen, Tourist Development Tax Specialist

V. PRESENTATIONS

A. Update on AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, Ms. Alison Shapiro, PR Manager, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

VI. BOARD ACTION ITEMS

A. Discuss and Consider for Approval Financial Statements Dated January 31, 2009, Mr. Dan Rowe, President
B. Discuss and Consider for Approval Coastal Planning & Engineering Invoice #90214, Invoice #90220, and Invoice #90267, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VII. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Review of Allocation of the Tourist Development Tax, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VIII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

IX. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

X. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

XI. ADJOURNMENT

PCB Sand Sports Offers Free Introduction to Beach Tennis

PCB Sand Sports in partnership with Beach Tennis USA will be hosting the first annual Sharkys Beach Tennis Doubles on Saturday March 14th.

This is a FREE tournament to introduce the sport of Beach Tennis to the community and provide local FUN between the Spring Break week.
Did we say Free! Yes this is a benefit to the locals to come out and play during the transition day of Spring Break and have some fun.
If you currently play Tennis or have never played any Tennis at all come out and try it at Sharkys on the Beach.

Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. and play will begin at 11:00. The first 16 teams to register will receive a “free” Beach Tennis t-shirt.
The tournament will be double elimination or pool play depending on the number of teams as we begin to promote and introduce this “new fun” sport to the community.
We are going to provide the first place team with a dinner for two coupon to Sharkys.

Come out and watch the Beach Tennis tournaments through March 18th daily to see the College vs. College competition.
Or just come out to pick up a few tips from the Pros since leagues will begin at Sharkys In May for Beach Tennis.

This is a great family sport and is growing rapidly worldwide.

For more information email beachresearch@yahoo.com or call 850-769-4802.

Resort Collection Offers Sweet Family Spring Packages

Families Enjoy Two Nights’ Stay Free!

The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach announced special offers to families who want to enjoy Panama City Beach during their spring vacation. Every year, thousands of families come from near and far to enjoy all of the attractions the city holds on the world’s most beautiful beaches. This spring, families who book a five-night stay with The Resort Collection, which includes six luxurious resort properties, will receive two additional nights for free.

The sparkling emerald waters, sugar-white sands and bright sunshine make this area a perfect place to swim in the warm gulf waters, build sandcastles or fly kites with the whole family. Guests of The Resort Collection have access to beach rentals and services for Jet Skis, banana boat rides, parasailing and more located on the gulf.

Beyond the beauty, relaxation and fun of the beach, Panama City Beach has many more family-fun activities to explore. The 20-acre tropical-themed Shipwreck Island Waterpark, with its 500,000-gallon Ocean Motion Wave Pool, and numerous other attractions provide hours of fun for the whole family to enjoy. If families feel like taking a break from the water, they can visit the 1.1 million-square-foot open-air family entertainment complex, Pier Park. Because The Resort Collection is Pier Park’s accommodations partner, guests of The Resort Collection can show their room key at various shops and restaurants to receive special discounts. Whether guests are looking to shop major national retail stores and private boutiques or dine at festive restaurants like Margaritaville, they will find what they’re looking for at the beautifully landscaped mall with colorful Caribbean architecture. Located at the epicenter of Pier Park is The Grand Theatre 16 showing all the latest feature films. The Grand is now offering Super Saver Tuesdays where all seats, all day every Tuesday are only $5, making it a fun, affordable outing for the whole family. For the more curious adventurers, Ripley’s Believe It or Not boasts a prime location on Panama City Beach for exploring the most interesting and quirky wonders on the planet.

“We are proud to welcome families from all over the world to enjoy paradise on our shores in our luxury accommodations,” said vice president of sales and marketing for The Resort Collection Paul Wohlford. “I know families who book with us will create great memories that will last for years to come.”

Panama City Beach, Florida has all the natural and man-made amenities to create the perfect family getaway and The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach has the perfect offer to make it a fun, affordable and stress-free vacation. Family Spring Vacation offers are based on availability.

For information on The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach, or to book reservations, call (866)-203-1164 or visit http://www.resortspcbeach.com.

Beach Tennis is Here

Beach Tennis is here, along with the pros to help you figure out how to do it. Behind Sharky’s Beach Club two beach tennis courts are set up with a station to “rent” the racquet from along with deflated tennis balls. Rent is free and equipment is provided by sponsors and is actually quite nice.

The concept behind beach tennis is to provide a fun beach-oriented sport that is easy on the knees and cinch to learn.

Here are the rules:

Court dimensions are 30 by 60 feet with the net at a height of 5’10”.
Beach tennis is only played in the doubles format, no singles.
Scoring is 15 – 30 – 40 with no-advantage.
At deuce, receiving team chooses which player will receive the serve.
Only one hit per side. Unlike volleyball, no setting up your partner for the kill.
Only one serve allowed per point. If the serve hits the net, goes over and lands in bounds a “let” (do over) will be played. If the serve hits the net, goes over and lands out of bounds the serving team loses the point.
Serves must go cross-court.
Players change ends at odd game totals.
Touching the net in any way or breaking the plane of the net – that is, reaching over the net with your racquet, even on the follow through – will result in a loss of the point.
Each match consists of one eight-game pro set. The match must be won by two games (e.g. 9-7). If the match score is tied at 8-8, a 12-point tennis tiebreaker (first team to 7 points wins) will be played to determine the winner.
A ball that strikes the line is considered in bounds.

If you want to play, it is free for anyone and everyone. You should get out there and put your skills to the test.

Celebrity Chef Tim Creehan to Host Destination Chef Show in PCB

Appearing now on a computer screen near you is a virtual cooking show offering valuable cooking, travel, dining tips from attractive hot spots such as Key West, Myrtle Beach and New Orleans. Think of it as taking a delicious trip to your favorite location before your actual vacation or next business trip.

DCS by Fisher & Paykel has partnered up with the Tourist Network to bring this impressive multi-media experience to travelers and dining and cooking connoisseurs with the TV show Destination Chefs and its new Web site DestinationChefs.com.

DCS by Fisher & Paykel’s high-end cooking appliances are showcased in Destination Chefs, a celebrity chef TV series hosted by celebrity chef Tim Creehan. The show travels to attractive resort and cultural destinations and features the top chefs in hot markets, including Atlanta, New Orleans, Key West, Myrtle Beach, the Florida Coast (Panama City, Pensacola, Destin) and the Hamptons.

The partnership with Destination Chefs will enable DCS to further expand its reach in the Southern market, which is already a strong region for the brand, said Laurence Mawhinney, VP for sales and marketing for Fisher & Paykel Appliances.

“We see our participation in this venture as a great opportunity to continue to showcase the performance of our high-end professionally styled cooking equipment both online and in these specific regional TV markets,” said Mawhinney.

DCS indoor studio kitchens and outdoor grills are put to the test by Destination Chefs’ guest celebrity chefs who display their cooking techniques and expertise in an entertaining way for a home audience. The 30-minute episodes are colorful, upbeat and also educational. Food and wine enthusiasts can savor expert instruction in the preparation of classic and adventurous dishes and wine selection. Viewers are also afforded a rare behind the scenes look at restaurants located in their favorite resorts and destinations. More than a cooking show, Destination Chefs also explores local flavor and area hot spots, presenting a colorful look at what truly defines the essence of “The Good Life” in each destination featured.

Viewers never have to miss an episode, as each show is permanently archived and available on demand at http://www.destinationchefs.com. The show’s Web site, which went live in mid November, also provides detailed recipes, chef bios, and cooking tips from Creehan and the guest chefs in the forums. Visitors to the site can ask their favorite chef questions, upload their own recipes, rate the shows and share tips with a community of fellow food enthusiasts. The site also features a special section devoted to outdoor grilling that encourages visitors to upload photos of their custom DCS outdoor kitchens.

The chef shows were already a popular feature on DestinationChef.com’s affiliate site TripSmarter.com receiving more than 100,000 views per year.

To find out more about the DCS by Fisher & Paykel brands, please call 888-936-7872 or you can also get more information at http://www.dcsappliances.com.

Grills Gone Wild is Back, To Cook 1,000's LBS of Meat for Charity

The success of Grills Gone Wild 1 was so immense they decided to do it again, for a different charity this year.

The original Grills Gone Wild, meant to be a tongue in cheek stab at the Girls Gone Wild garbage our area was going through last year with Joe Francis, was a refreshing positive twist our area surely needed. The goal was to raise money for Aaron Nichols, son of Gary Nichols, the band director of Arnold High School. Aaron was injured and paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. When insurance money ran out, the Nichols family still had a little more than $20,000 in improvements they needed to make to their home to accommodate their son. The event raised $24,000 and provided the much needed modifications to the house.

The original goal was to sell 500 tickets last year for $12 a piece, but the event “mushroomed” as Alan Graham put it and benefited from a turnout that was much greater than expected. “We ended up cooking ten 200 pound pigs and 180 Boston Butts and fed 2,500 people.”

There was such a demand for this again, that they actually sought out a charity to help this year so they could bring the party back to the beach. Benefiting this year is the new Miracle League baseball field currently being constructed at Frank Brown Park. The field is padded to prevent injury, the bases are painted on, and the dugouts will all be wheelchair accessible. Proceeds from Grills Gone Wild 2 will go towards building the fence for the field, which costs about $20,000.

The event is sponsored by Counts Real Estate and The Rotary Club. “All the meat has be to purchased up front,” Graham said, “we’re trying to sell the tickets up front, but what we don’t get sold, we’ll come up with the money to buy the meat.” If you’re a griller, you can still enter for the Boston Butts, the chicken and the rib category, but if you want to cook a pig, you’ll have to wait until next year as they’ve already been ordered.

“The pigs take about 22 hours to cook,” said Graham, “we cook ’em low and slow.” The best way to cook pork is at a low temperature for a long time, that way the meat just falls right apart. They will have the grills set up around the pavilion by the playground and pool at Frank Brown Park with tables set up inside where the basketball courts are and outside around the pavilion in the lawn. The party will start with the grills firing up early Friday afternoon March 13th and food will be served all afternoon Saturday March 14th.

Tickets can be purchased at any Counts Real Estate Office, by contacting any Rotary Club member or at the event. Tickets are being sold for $10 this year. If you want to grill the cost is $100 per grill.

You should come out and support this great cause and hang with the community. For more information, contact Alan Graham at 850 896 2648.