Guy Harvey's in Pier Park to Open Soon

Guy Harvey’s Island Grill in Pier Park will be open first part of April, as long as everything goes according to schedule. Interior construction is heavy under way on the 10,000 square foot restaurant and shop and is located at the south side of Pier Park, right next to Reggae J’s and across from Back Porch and Margaritaville.

This will be Guy Harvey’s fifth location with others located in Orange Beach, AL, Marco Island, Key West and Grand Cayman.

The Pier Park location will feature a restaurant that will seat around 200 people and a shop where tourists and locals alike can purchase merchandise from artwork to belts adorned with various sea wild-life. There will be two levels, although at this time, I’m unsure what the second floor will hold.

The menu will include similar items as the other locations with a few “local” adaptations. However, you will not see on the menu items such as swordfish, chilean sea bass, grouper, or any other billfish or shark species for that matter. Guy Harvey deems these species threatened or depleted.

Visit www.GuyHarveyInc.com for more details on Guy Harvey, and check the picture below to see what the place looks like inside, right now.

Laketown Wharf – Corus Bank "Unlikely to Survive '09"

The future of Laketown Wharf in Panama City Beach is again dealt a blow of uncertainly as the owning bank, Corus shows increasing signs of weakening. Friday, they reported a quarterly loss of $260.7 million and stated that more than a third of their “$4.1 billion in outstanding loans were nonperforming.” On the bright side, Mike Dulberg, Corus’s CFO reported that they have $758 million in capital and $4 billion in liquid assetts and the vast majority of its $7.6 billion in consumer deposits is federally insured.

In the article, Daniel Cardenas, senior vice president at Chicago brokerage Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett Inc., was quoted:

“The company is in dire straits. Barring a surprise injection of private capital and/or a dramatic rebound in condo values, Corus appears unlikely to survive 2009.”

The article was published in the Wall Street Jounal Commercial section in limited “subscriber only” format, but I found it elsewhere, in full:

Condo King Corus Weights Its Options

County to Charge for Access to New Pier

Since apparently I’m all about people having to pay more for stuff, you would think that I would agree with Bay County deciding to charge the same fee as Panama City Beach did (and will in the future) for using the pier – and you would actually be correct. However, not at first.

I’ll be frank, the only real objection I have to paying a fee at a place like this is because I’m not usually carrying cash. I don’t remember if they accepted credit cards, but who likes to charge a dollar anyway. Plus, who wants to pay $6 just to take the wife and kids out to the end of the pier for 10 minutes on the remote chance that we’ll actually see a fish that is radical enough to entertain the kids. I mean, seriously, $6 for something that I’ve already paid for through being a tax-payer?

But, the reality of the situation is that the tax dollars that I’ve put towards (or actually will put towards in the future as I’m sure this was financed through bonds) our new pier(s) is actually going to the construction, not the upkeep. An article in the paper this morning quoted Mike Thomas as stating that Bay County has never run a pier, they just built M.B. Miller Pier and let it run down. This brings up an interesting point.

Why did I never go to the county pier years ago even though there is tons of space and could be a perfect place for families to hang what with all the setting areas, boardwalks and wide open spaces? *pause* Because it was scary. That’s right, I said it – SCARY. With the fees, the county would be able to pay for running operating expenses, such as security and pay staff to be onsite. Now, I know what some of you are thinking – Eliminate the fees and pay for the running costs with other county fees, just reallocate, adjust budgets in other categories or fire a couple unneeded people. I know, I know, sounds like a great idea, but you know that the county doesn’t work that way, in fact what municipality does? You can’t expect government to pay for something NOT directly associated with it.

So, with that said, knowing that the money can’t come from anywhere else, I totally agree with the usage fee. I want both piers to be on an equal playing field and I want to be able to use either one safely. Do I like paying the fee? Not really, but it isn’t because I’m always broke, its more of just an inconvenience, but I’ll find a few bucks if I want to go to the pier, as long as there will be tons of other people there enjoying it with their families and not a bunch of punk drunks.

The twin county and city piers, dubbed M.B. Miller and Dan Russell, respectively will be identical, measuring 1.500 feet long. The cost is a little more than they style pier that was there before, but they are designed to sustain damage in a more efficient way in order to minimize the cost of repair in the future.

The fees for access to the pier are $5 per adult fisherman, $2 per child fisherman and $1 if you just want to watch.

Seabreeze Jazz Festival 2009 at Pier Park

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival is coming to Pier Park in April, bringing not only something new to our area because of Pier Park, but also a huge list of artists and a promise of a high-quality, entertaining weekend.

The weekend will start Thursday April 16th at 7 pm with a dinner Cruise with Alex Bugnon on board the Salaris dinner yacht from the Bay Point Marina. Friday, gates open at 5 pm at the Pier Park Amphitheatre (aka, Aaron Bessant Park) with jazz to begin filling the air at 6 pm. At 8:30 pm, an All-Star Jam will begin featuring various artists such as Nick Colionne, Shilts, and Four 80 East.

The festival will continue Saturday morning at 9 am and continue with food and jazz all day long.

The general admission cost each day is $80 per person with a weekend pass being sold ad $130 per person. The VIP pass is $375 per person and includes all performances all weekend, on-site VIP parking, early admission, covered seating with closeup view of performances, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday with evening food included Friday through Sunday – oh, and the VIP tickets are sold out, according to the website. If you want to eat on the Solaris, tickets are $135 per person.

Full event details:

COST:
General Admission Each Day: $80 per person
Weekend Pass: $130 per person
VIP Weekend Pass: $375 per person

WHEN:
Thursday, April 16 through Sunday, April 19
(see attached schedule)

WHERE:
Pier Park – Amphitheater
600 Pier Park Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32413

2009 Seabreeze Jazz Festival Schedule
Pier Park Amphitheater Panama City Beach, FL
Presented By ResortQuest

Festival Host: Nick Colionne

Thursday, April 16

7 p.m.
Smooth Jazz Dinner Cruise with Alex Bugnon
Presented by Marriott Bay Point Resort
Aboard The Solaris dinner yacht; boarding begins at 6 p.m. at the Bay Point Marina

Friday, April 17

(Gates open at 5 p.m.)

6 – 7:45 p.m.
Urban Jazz Coalition

8:30 p.m.
Smooth Jazz All-Star Jam
Featuring Nick Colionne, Shilts, Four 80 East, Brian Simpson, Matt Marshak, Joyce Cooling, Nils, Alex, Bugnon, Eric Darius, Althea Rene, Jackiem Joyner and special guests

10:30 p.m.
Jazz Under the Stars Party
With Urban Jazz Coalition and friends
(Pier Park Special Club Location)
Sponsored by Smooth Lounge dot com

Saturday, April 18

(Gates open at 9 a.m. – VIP early entry at 8:30 a.m.)

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Althea Rene

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Eric Darius

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
The Seabreeze Groove Project
Featuring Four 80 East, Shilts and Matt Marshak
Sponsored by Smooth Lounge dot com

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Joyce Cooling

5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Will Downing

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wayman Tisdale

9:30 p.m.
Jazz Under the Stars Party
With Four 80 East, Shilts, Matt Marshak and friends
(Pier Park Special Club Location)
Sponsored by Smooth Lounge dot com

Sunday, April 19

(Gates open at 9 a.m. – VIP early entry at 8:30 a.m.)

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Jones and Company

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Roman Street

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Brian Simpson / Nils / Jackiem Joyner

3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Warren Hill

5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Nick Colionne

7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Boney James

Travel News, by Debi Knight – Travel Trends and Predictions 09-10

Debi Knight, President
Panama City Beach Tourism Services

In the last four months, I have had the opportunity to meet hundreds of businesses, tour operators and multiple suppliers like myself in the travel/tourism industry. I have also been fortunate to attend numerous seminars on Green Travel, Packaging your Destination and Customer Service. I have 26 years in the tourism industry and it is amazing how much more you learn every day.

I would like to share some insights, facts, travel trends and predictions for 2009-10 year.

78 million baby boomers will turn 65 over the next six years
64% of leisure travelers make their decision two weeks out
16% of leisure travelers make their decision in 48 hours
74% of American’s said “Experience is more important than Glitz and Glamour” while on a trip
In today’s economy – people are looking for “Unique” and “Easy”
47% of people that want “Green Travel”, stated they also spend more for green products
Online booking will be up 10% for 2009
Hotels are doing 50% of their booking online right now
75% of people who book online – book through the brand
10% of people that go to a website are just looking for phone numbers and details
80% of people will go to an organic site compared to a sponsored link
Blogs have become very popular with businesses promoting their product
Girlfriend Getaways – research in 2008 reported – 50% of women took a Girlfriend Getaway, 2009 will jump to 90%
75% of American’s “Travel to Party” – weddings, party bus, go crazy, reunions, etc.
Wedding Tourism – 18% of all weddings are outside of the bride and grooms home/area
Average wedding today cost $30,000
81% of Americans pick their destination and property by photos – they will pick pictures over price
Eco Tours are more popular than ever

Debi Knight’s Company promotes the destination by attending Travel Trade Shows around the country, meeting with Tour Operators, Senior Group Travel, Student Youth Travel, Bank Group Travel, FIT and other associations. Her Company organizes Day Trips, Itineraries and Packages from St. George Island, Apalachicola and Tallahassee, Fl, all the way to gaming for the day in Biloxi, Ms. For more information regarding Travel Packages, Eco Tours, Area Events, Dining, Shopping, Attractions, Golf, Weddings and more visit http://www.Travelpcb.com.

New Corner Decoration installed at Beckrich and Back Beach Road

This past week the newest addition to the intersection of Back Beach and Beckrich Roads was complete. Part of the beautification and roadway marker efforts are to install these consistent corner decoration assemblies at major intersections on Back Beach Road.

The intersection of Beckrich and Back Beach Road is home to Home Depot, Chick Fil-A, and a million new banks and the future home of Publix, Office Depot and Dunkin Donuts, yay!

Cadi-corner to this an exact replica had been installed since the development of the business park adjoining to the Sprint/Nextel call center. The facade is beautiful and pleasing to look at.

I see sunshine on a cloudy day

This morning I awoke to a dark and dreary day. With complete cloud cover the rain poored, suplimenting the watering my sprinkler was giving my lawn. With windshield wipers blading the water off windshields cars hummed down the street with their lights on.

The last couple of days have been nothing short of fantastic here in Panama City Beach. Weather like we’ve had the past couple of days serve as a clear reminder of why living here is just so great. With humidity levels low, the sun has been out backed by the only thing that is better than a clear blue sky: a clear blue sky with defined, whispy white clouds carefully accenting particular parts of space. The high yesterday was 75. Awesome.

Last night a front moved through during the early hours of the morning and dumped an always much needed drink of water on our lush local environ. And yes, I just created my own word. We got about an inch this morning. But, just around lunch time, the rain clouds went away and the sun peeked out.

I was told that we would have cold rainy weather the next couple of days, but thank goodness they were wrong; at least for now. Currently it is 76 outside, sunny and dry.

If you live here, go outside and enjoy this weather. Many should be so lucky.

New Summer Marketing Campaign to Brand "FUN"

“Best dang beach vacation ever. Period.” – Funculator – Funtastic – These are some of the ideas that came out of the brain-storming session yesterday with regard to the summer marketing campaign. The “brand” for this summer is FUN with an emphasis on creating the perception of value when vacationing on Panama City Beach.

Last year’s Summer White Sale, touted as wildly successful was surely a media ploy in that the actual results were not actually wet with success, but the image of the whole campaign from a PR perspective certainly was. Featured in the likes of the New York Times and other coveted news publications, the estimated value in PR placement was in the hundreds of thousands. However, the actual deals were nothing to call home to mom about. As pointed out by Bryan Durta, “The deals that were to be had were nothing more than what you could find on the rack cards or local discount books.”

This year the marketing committee wanted to place an emphasis on value enhancement rather than discounts. The idea is to create incentives that didn’t give the appearance that we were a discount location that would in turn devalue our image. By placing an emphasis on increased value, i.e. getting more for your money, instead of saying 20% off, we look bettter.

I agree with this, but the only question, and this resounded in the room yesterday, was how do we do this and give (as Hoot Crawford so famously put) everyone a fair shake. What is the best strategy for being sure everyone can benefit from this outside of just a few select hoteliers, attractions and restaurants? Well, that seemed to be the presiding issue and concern. In fact, for quite some time, there was quite a bit of discussion as to exactly how to handle this very issue until Marty McDaniel stepped in.

Marty is the new Director of the TDC and kindly reminded everyone that the details are just the details – we still need a big boom, a hook that people will grab on to and follow to Panama City Beach. We’ve got to have a very powerful message that will capture the attention of visitors and potential visitors. Whatever we do has to be revolutionary. If we can come with something that is WOW, it will work.

YPartnership wanted to brand “FUN”, with maybe a Funculator on the main page of the visitpanamacitybeach.com web site that could calculate how much ‘fun’ you would have on your trip here. The idea is to emphasize more fun, more beach, more entertainment, more summer for you, etc.

At the end of the meeting, YPartnerhship left with some ideas as to what direction we want to go and hopefully enough amunition to come back with something great, because we need it.

FDOT proposes new road to new Airport

I was so excited to see standing room only at the Kick off meeting to introduce the proposed new road to our longed for Airport. Hugh Williams exclaimed that a bigger room would be needed for the next meeting because of the over the top public responce which they welcomed. The meeting appeared to be a great success and although there was not a question and answer time the audience was encouraged to meet one on one with the project leaders stationed around the room.

So how does it impact us? The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is proposing a new 4 lane roadway, approximately 24 miles in length. Exactly where the road will be is still in the planning stages but the suggested route for section 1 is from US 98 in Walton County east of Peach Creek to state road 79 in Bay County around county road 388. For section 2 the plans are for it to run along 388 from HWY 79 to HWY 77. Some of the considerations for the road will include controlled and limited access alternatives.

H.W. Lochner, Inc. and PBS & J have teamed together to conduct studies for the West Bay Parkway and its impact on the community and its citizens. Rosemary Woods -Deputy project manager urged the audience to e-mail or call them at their numbers provided below. She stated that a vital part of their study would be getting information from the public.

In essence the goal is to have as little an impact on the enviornment and its citizens with the most advantages for our future development. Some of the positives are: A new route to our new Airport, to provide a better quality direct route to the eastern side of Bay County, and to establish an alternative hurricane evacuation Route. One of the problems with Bay County has always been how do you get here. The new Airport is the first step in solving that problem and a new road to the Airport is another facet of making Bay County an easy access vacation spot.

This was the first of many meetings. I had an opportunity to meet some of the Project Leaders and they were eager to hear our ideas and welcomed feedback and questions. I hope you will join me and learn about this project and be a part of the great change for our community that we love.

The official web site is WestBayParkway.com

Contact information:

Hugh Williams,PE
Project Manager
850-656-9027
hwilliams@hwlochner.com

Rosemary Woods
Deputy Project Manager
850-575-1800
rewoods@pbsj.com

J. Brandon Bruner
Project Development Engineer
850-638-0250
joseph.bruner@dot.state.fl.us

Mardi Gras Parade on Panama City Beach

The Krewe of Dominique Youx is Bay County’s original organization of over 185 members who have celebrated the festive Mardi Gras season here in Bay County for over 22 years.

According to custom, Shrove Tuesday (“Fat Tuesday” to the English-speaking settlers, “Mardi Gras” to the French) is the last day to indulge, or overindulge, before Lent and its 40 days of fasting. The celebrations that take place before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Mobile, and Galveston set off a carnival season that is notorious.

The Mardi Gras tradition came to Panama City in 1986 when a group of local residents headed by Errol Legasse and the late Jerry Castardo decided that we should not miss out on the excitement of Mardi Gras and formed the Krewe of Dominique Youx.

Dominique Youx is the nickname used by the eldest member of the famous Lafitte family of buccaneers who sailed the southern seas in the early 1800’s plundering vessels of those deemed to be their enemies. Dominique Youx was actually Fredric Alexander Lafitte, brother of Jean and Pierre Lafitte. He was the first of the Brothers to become a buccaneer. He was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte as a privateer and served for France during the war with Spain. When the Lafitte’s moved to New Orleans, the charismatic Jean Lafitte organized hundreds of rogues into a band of pirates who became the scourge of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Local rumor has it that some of their loot is still hidden in the estuary of St.Andrew Bay.

The present day Krewe of Dominique Youx, like other famous Mardi Gras Krewes, celebrates the season in a carnival atmosphere. For the first time, the krewe will parade on Panama City Beach. Pirates dressed in colorful costumes will be throwing beads to revelers along the parade route beginning at Hill Road, proceeding down Front Beach Road, and into Pier Park. This year, King Rob Fernandez (Dominique Youx XXII) and his Queen, Joyce Muller, will spearhead the Krewe as beads, doubloons, and other throws are tossed to the huge crowds lining the parade route. This parade is free to the public and suitable for the whole family.

In Panama City Beach, the season begins in mid-November with a black-tie evening celebration. The Krewe presents a local, non-member dignitary with the “Baratarian Cup”, a Mardi Gras honor unique to Panama City. This year’s recipient is Robert “Bob” Myers. Bob was an Air Force officer who settled down in Bay county after retiring and over the years became one of Bay County’s most prolific charity volunteers. Bob will lead this year’s parade as Grand Marshall.

The Krewe also holds a formal, costumed Mardi Gras Ball for the coronation of the new King, Queen and court members for the following year.

The Krewe of Dominique Youx is self-financing, paying for its own equipment, floats, costumes, as well as the beads and doubloons thrown to the watching parade crowds.

The Panama City Krewe of Dominique Youx is proud to use the name of an historic buccaneer to promote the carnival spirit of Mardi Gras for the enjoyment of the people of Bay County.