Panama City Beach - Holiday Events 12-7 - 12-14-08

The Celadon Beach Resort Homeowner meeting is Saturday the 13th. The Panama City Beach Condo homeowners that attend the Celadon meeting will have some nice events to attend.

SATURDAY, DEC. 13
Beach Christmas Parade sponsored by the Optimist Club of the Beaches; at Pier Park starting at 5 p.m., following a route though Pier Park. Details: 234-0854

Christmas Market: at the St. Andrews Marina Event Facility from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local artists will be on hand with a variety of items on display. Stay around for the Boat Parade.

Boat Parade Of Lights: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Theme: "A Star Spangled Christmas." Mandatory captain's meeting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Granite Cafe on Beck Avenue in St. Andrews. For applications, visit www.historicstandrews.com and click on Documents and Information.

SUNDAY, DEC. 14
Apalachicola Community Christmas Program: Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. at Historic Trinity Episcopal Church. The Ilse Newell Concert Series presents a selection of holiday favorites. Details: (850) 653-9419
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent

Panama City Beach - Real Estate Update December 2008

Panama City Beach – Condos for Sale at Celadon Beach Resort

I received a real estate flyer in the mail yesterday about Panama City Beach condos. I thought that some of you might be interested in a short summary of the condo market so here it is…

There are currently 1,399 condos on the market in Panama City Beach ranging in price from $175,000 to $1,500,000. There are 46 sales pending and 558 sales have closed since January 1, 2008. So currently there is a 2.4 year supply of condos. Guess what it is a huge buyer’s market. If you have been thinking about buying a condo now is a great time to look.

The current asking prices in Celadon Beach Resort follow:
10 – 1 BR units $172 – $309K
4 – 2BR units $384 - $429K
5 – 3BR units $379 - $499K

Units sold this year:
11 – 1 BR units $178 – $295K
2 – 2BR units $350 - $365K
4 – 3BR units $385 - $450K

If there is any good news for sellers at least based on the units sold in Celadon Beach Resort in 2008 our condos are selling approximately twice as fast as the overall market in Panama City Beach.

Let me know if you want to talk to a realtor in PCB. I know two really good ones. If you want to visit Panama City Beach and look for condos, I suggest staying in one of our Celadon Beach Resort 1 BR condos with bunk rooms. You will be impressed with the property! Who knows, maybe you can get a great deal on a condo while you are there having a good time on the beach.

Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent

Panama City Beach - Cyberscams

Be Careful Out there on the Web...

Panama City Beach - The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers of a new string of phishing e-mails making the rounds this holiday season. Scammers are posing as well-known companies that do a lot of business this time of year, attempting to steal personal information such as Social Security or credit card numbers, according to a BBB news release.

"While most of the country is spreading peace and love this holiday season, criminals are spreading computer viruses and stealing identities," said Norman Wright, president/CEO of the Bureau serving northwest Florida. "Hackers pose as trusted businesses to take advantage of the seasonal increase in online shopping and shipping."

Following are three phishing e-mails BBB has spotted this holiday season:

Shipping
Claiming to be from a legitimate shipping business such as FedEx or UPS, one phishing e-mail alleges a problem with delivery. It may include a link to a Web site that installs malware or solicits personal information. A recent message has a subject line of "Subject: Tracking Number 13040065504." It advises, "To take your package back you should print the copy of invoice that is in the added file." Of course, the attachment is a computer virus.

BBB ADVICE: Don't click on a link in the e-mail; instead go directly to the shipper's Web site or call the business (do not use a phone number provided in the e-mail) to ask if there is a shipping problem. Don't open attachments in unsolicited e-mails.

Surveys offering holiday spending cash

Targeting cash-strapped holiday shoppers, other phishing e-mails pretend to be from retailers such as Wal-Mart. One has the subject, "Online Survey from Wal-Mart Stores!!!" The message says, "You've been selected to take part in our quick and easy 9 questions survey. In return we will credit $90.00 to your account - Just for your time!" The e-mail includes a link to a Web site to "take the survey," but actually leads to a phishing site.

BBB ADVICE: Don't respond to unsolicited e-mails promising money for answering surveys. E-mails offering big rewards for minimal effort usually cost you in the end.

E-cards

E-cards are a popular and inexpensive way to deliver season's greetings. Legitimate e-cards typically send an e-mail with a hyperlink to a Web site hosting the e-card. Unfortunately, it's easy for hackers to disguise their phishing e-mails and direct users to Web sites that install viruses and malware.

BBB ADVICE: Phishing e-mails posing as e-cards can be difficult to spot. Be wary of e-mails with spelling and grammatical mistakes and don't follow links in an e-card if you don't recognize the sender. Consumers should report suspicious e-mails to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov
For additional information go to www.bbb.org
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent

Panama City Beach - Festival of Trees

See some holiday art and buy some gifts at...

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Decorated holiday wreaths adorned the walls of the Visual Arts Center on Wednesday night, and the smell of molasses and gumdrops filled the air.
It was the Panama City Rescue Mission's 5th annual Festival of Trees, and the third at the downtown center.

"We think the Visual Arts Center is a great venue for us," said The Rev. Billy Fox, executive director of the Rescue Mission. "We have some beautiful art, after all, and it's a wonderful cause." Community donated gingerbread houses, Christmas trees and other Christmas-themed art filled the galleries of the center, to be bid on by the public in silent auction. The Rescue Mission wants to surpass the $50,000 raised last year.

Funds generated from the auctions will go to support the Rescue Mission's Bethel Village, a shelter for struggling women and children. The Rescue Mission, which is suffering from limited space and a void of programs for the needy, is looking to add additional housing and a new driveway, as well as a pole barn for its community recycling program.

The bidding, which will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent

Panama City Beach - Dirty Santa Ball

Panama City Beach – I missed this event in my previous post. If you enjoy the Seaside Repertory Theatre here is a way to have some fun and support the Theatre…

Dirty Santa Ball is at 7 p.m. Saturday December 6, 2008 in Carillon Beach Resort ballroom to benefit Seaside Repertory Theatre. Tickets: $100 per person, Details: www.seasiderep.org or (850) 231-0733
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent

Panama City Beach - Holiday Events The Week of December 1, 2008

If you are interseted in attending some holiday events to get in the spirit of the season, here is waht is going on in the Panama City Beach area thie week:

MONDAY, DEC. 1
P.C.B. Christmas Tree Lighting: Frank Brown Park, 6:30 p.m.; Presentations by Mayor Oberst to essay contest winners, music by local school groups. Give Santa your wish list and enjoy refreshments provided by local church and civic groups. Details: (850)233-5045

Festival Of Trees: Christmas design contest and charity auction to benefit Panama City Rescue Mission is Dec. 1-6 at Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida. Details: www.pcrmission.org or 769-0783.

TUESDAY, DEC. 2
Tree Lighting at Oaks by the Bay Park: 5:30 p.m. in St. Andrews. The public may come to the park by 5:15 to help decorate the tree with ornaments made by St. Andrew School students. Commissioner John Pilcher will light the tree at 5:30. After the tree lighting, stay for the Pilot Club's Luminaries of Love that will line the park's sidewalks.

FRIDAY, DEC. 5
Millville Elementary School's 9th Annual Holiday Parade: 9:45 a.m. Several bands, floats and guests; Mayor Scott Clemons is Grand Marshall and Superintendent Bill Husfelt will participate. The route begins at Millville Elementary School at the corner of Second Court and East Avenue, proceeds north on East Avenue, left on Third Street, left on Sherman Avenue, and left on Second Plaza to end at Immanuel Baptist Church. Details: 872 -4765.

Apalachicola Lighting of the Lights: 3 p.m., annual lighting of the holiday lights at the center of St. George Island. Santa will arrive on a fire engine. Refreshments and lighthouse tours available. Details: call the St. George Island Visitor Center and Museum at (850) 927-7744.

The Kids Khristmas Kard Shop: 9 p.m. to midnight (rest of the month by appointment) at UnREAL ARTists Gallery. Khristmas Kard Making Workshop Dec.12. Children should have artwork scanned and e-mailed to mail@mermaidsdontcook.com by Dec. 2. To sign up or for details: 215-0705 or (866) 347-0801 or e-mail.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6
Eastpoint Christmas Parade: 10-10:30 a.m. on U.S. 98 in Eastpoint. Santa arrives on a fire truck. Details: Pam Watson at (850) 653-7041.
"The Christmas Shoes": Area churches collaborate for holiday musical with adult choir, children's ensemble and hand bell choir. Show times are Dec. 6 at 4 and 7 p.m.; and Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Dixie Theatre, Apalachicola.

Christmas Dinner & Dance: The Panama City Bop & Shag Club buffet dinner and dance open to the public, 6-10 p.m. at the Lyndell Senior Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City Beach. BYOB with free set-ups. Tickets: $15, 50 percent of proceeds donated to the News Herald's Empty Stocking Fund. Advance tickets required; available at the Senior Center, or call Gloria at 234-5605 or Patty at 215-6431.

SUNDAY, DEC. 7
"The Christmas Shoes": Area churches collaborate for holiday musical with adult choir, children's ensemble and hand bell choir. Show time: 7 p.m. at the Dixie Theatre, Apalachicola.

Gulf Beach Garden Club Tour Of Homes: 1-5 p.m.; five homes decorated for Christmas, plus VFW. Refreshments at Gulf Beach Garden Club, 17012 Hernando Ave. at State 79 in Panama City Beach. Ticket $10. Details: 235-3324

GCCC Holiday Concert: 2:30 p.m. at Amelia Center Theatre, Gulf Coast Community College. Singing Commodores and GCCC Concert Chorale. Open seating. Free admission; donations accepted for music scholarships. Details: 872-3886 or www.gulfcoast.edu

Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent

Panama City Beach - Cape St. George Light

If you are visiting our Panama City Beach Condo, a day trip to Apalachicola and St. George Island is a fun way to pass some time and see some historical buildings. If you go we recommend the restaurant on the corner in downtown Apalachicola for lunch.

ST. GEORGE ISLAND - The 153-year-old Cape St. George Light has been moved and opened again today. Three years ago the lighthouse sat on uninhabited Little St. George Island, accessible only by boat and boarded up as a safety hazard. It was leaning slightly as the Gulf of Mexico swirled past its base along the eroded shoreline until the 74-foot lighthouse finally succumbed to the sea, smashing to pieces.

On Saturday, the lighthouse doors opened and a line of people climbed the new set of pine steps circling inside the 19th-century bricks before, hoisting themselves up a metal ladder through a small rectangular hole to the lamp house. It marked the end of a rescue mission that was improbable at best and thought crazy by most. "It's just absolutely thrilling," said Eddie Lueken, 52, of Tallahassee as she stood in the glass-enclosed lamp room which was warmed by the sun. "This is a piece of history transplanted here."

Almost anyone who saw Cape St. George Light after it fell would have thought it was lost forever. Large chunks of bricks and the mangled metal lamp house were awash in the surf. Logic would have told most that it couldn't be saved. "It looked like such a heap of rubble that I thought it was overambitious to try it," said Mike Roehr, 67, who lives on St. George with his wife, Connie, 50. "It shows what I know." Shortly after it fell, Dennis Barnell and Terry Kemp went out to take a look. What they saw was discouraging, but they decided if dinosaurs can be pieced back together, so could Cape St. George Light. They were already part of a group, the St. George Lighthouse Association, that was hoping to stabilize the structure and move it back to higher ground.

Once the lighthouse crumbled, the mission changed. The association worked through a bureaucratic maze of federal, state and county government to get the project approved and started. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided money to recover and move the lighthouse pieces. Volunteers spent thousands of hours cleaning the old bricks. The association raised money through T-shirt sales, fundraisers and other events and state lawmakers provided $350,000 to help. Contractors cut rates, volunteers provided labor and the lighthouse rose again at the end of the 4-mile bridge that connects St. George with Eastpoint on the other side of Apalachicola Bay, about 77 miles southwest of Tallahassee. "It was total devotion on their part," said Lueken, who has a vacation house on St. George. "It was a labor of love if there was ever one."

Residents and tourists from as far away as The Netherlands stood in line Saturday for about an hour to climb the 92 steps -- not including the ladder through the 22-inch by 21-inch rectangle to the top. One boy shouted to his parents, "Whoa! This is awesome!" in a voice that echoed around the small room. While maybe a little more subdued, adults making the climb were also enthralled. "Neat! Awesome! Look at the bridge," said Connie Roehr, experiencing an entirely new view of the long, narrow island that she's known her whole life. It wasn't her first time climbing steps in the lighthouse, but it was the first time she made it to the top. When Roehre was a child, her parents would take her by boat to Little St. George where the abandoned lighthouse stood. It wasn't open to the public, but she would still venture inside.
"There wasn't anything that said that we couldn't," Roehr said with a laugh. "We didn't go very far."

Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent