Spring Break 2009

Almost time for that exciting time here in Panama City - Spring Break 2009! MTV will be here again, with live performances from some of the hottest artists, interactive games, and tons of free stuff.
Not to mention the parties at La Vela, Sharkeys, Hammerhead Freds and all the others, and this year you can stop at Pier Park and take advantage of places like Margaritaville!

If you want to know what bands are playing and what is happening, visit the Panama City Calendar.

Much of the construction that caused traffic problems last year is finished, and there are a lot of new places to stay. The first spring breakers will be here in about a week - make sure you make your plans!

Election Day

Well, after all the mudslinging and promise making, it is election time - the American peoples turn to make their voice heard. With local businesses closing down or cutting jobs (Oceaneering and Circuit City are the latest here) the economy is on everyones mind. And a high miitary population keeps us interested in foreign policy. So whether you believe "change", "experience" or a combination of the two will help the most, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to make your voice heard.
Regardless of which candidate wins, it is impossible for any one man to make good on all of the promises that they have made. Way too many factors enter into making "changes". All candidates make promises - check and see how many have made good on all of them. What we need to choose is the man that we feel can do the most good for the most people, and the man who is seeking the job for the right reasons.
Whoever is elected, may God help him to lead well and wisely.

November Happenings

A lot happening in Panama City this month - hope everyone joins in! One of my favorite is Nov 8 2008 Barking on the Bay. It's by the Humane Society of Bay County, and has all sorts of fun things, like Blessing of the Animals, Pictures with Scoopster the Dog, Best Pet Tricks & Look-alike Contest, Frisbee Contest hosted by K-9's in Flight John Messita, Dock-diving Contest, Pooper Scooper Game (That sounds interesting) and World Famous K-9's in Flight Show . This is all to raise money to help keep our no-kill shelter. I hope a lot of you will join me there and help support the Humane Society. Visit our Panama City Pug myspace for more information and some Pug pictures!
You also have the Holly Fair, which is always a big deal here in Panama City. It is hosted by the Junior Service League of Panama City, and celebrates 19 years of holiday shopping, dining and entertainment with over 75 merchants filling the Boardwalk Beach Resort & Conference Center. Then there is the November 3-11 - Emerald Coast Cruizin' Car Classic, Frank Brown Park , Panama City Beach, Florida, with things like Show and Shine, Vendor Midway, Koto Spinning the Oldies- Meet the American Graffiti Cast Members, Auto Auction at Frank Brown Park. And finish off the month with November 28 - Lighting of the Christmas Tree, downtown Panama City.
And so much more in between. And we just finished with the Ironman Triathalon - where else can you find so much to do this time of year? Check out our Calendar of Events often so you don't miss anything!

Things to Do

There is so much going on, and the weather has been great for all of it.

I am really looking forward to Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach on August 30. It is a celebration of digital artistry, from short films to abstract animations to surreal electronic imagery - all projected onto the white stucco walls throughout the entire town! You can see a picture of it here. It should be something to see - I know they are working hard on it.

Something else that sounds like a good time is Tapestry Park Cinema - Tapestry Park will host a free movie night once a month. Each month, a well known film will be shown on a giant 16-foot screen in Savannah Park. Tapestry Park Cinema will also be offering a cash-only concession stand. The films that have been chosen for this first series are geared towards the entire family. Each of the screenings will begin at sundown, around 8:00 p.m.; however, guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure their spot on the lawn. Tapestry Park Cinema will run on Fridays, June 27th, July 25th, August 29th and September 26th.

And of course I can't wait for Thunder Beach Fall Rally, which will be here in September - we are getting the motorcycle ready now!

4th of July

The 4th of July was fantastic here - great weather, great food, great friends - and oh yes, great parades and fireworks! Not just one, but several!
You can see the videos from Seaside here and here

Out of the mouth of a child

I had intended to tell you all about our motorcycle ride up the coast to St George Island, but something got in the way! I received this email today, and wanted to share it. Hope it makes you stop and think as it did me. Tomorrow will be about the motorcycle ride!
A Dog's purpose as a 6 yr year child see's it:
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker' s transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old Continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog were the teacher you would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently. Be always grateful for each new day
Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles: May joy dance in your soul, may love fill your heart and may peace reign in your home
Thank you whoever wrote this.

Thunder Beach 2008 Panama City Beach

Joe Biggs outdid himself this past week. The Thunder Beach Spring Rally in Panama City Beach was a complete success. The crowds were enormous, but with the completion of most of the construction projects along Front Beach Road, the traffic was very well managed. There were a total of 7 different venues, stretching from Newby’s II on Thomas Drive all the way to Frank Brown Park, which is roughly the size of a county fairground…and when we left this afternoon, it was FULL. People, I don’t know how familiar you are with Panama City Beach, but that is 20 MILES of motorcycles. I have no idea just how many people were here this week, but based on how many bikes I saw, the size of each of the venues, and the very few accommodations left vacant, I would imagine we saw more than 70,000 people.
Panama City Beach has really grown in the last 7 or 8 years. Many of the new stores and restaurants in the Pier Park Development have opened in just the last month or so. Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville was spectacularly successful this past week, we never drove past it during business hours that it was not completely overflowing with guests. All the Condo projects that have blocked traffic in the last few years have opened for business, providing brand new accommodations for visitors. Parking is provided free at all the venues for motorcycles, and the hotels and condos go out of their way to provide spaces for bikes as well.
The vendors at this rally get bigger and better and more numerous every year. This year, even Orange County Choppers of TV fame brought in a big rig with a full display of their production motorcycles…and they look even better in person than they do on television. After they got a front seat view of Thunder Beach, maybe we can entice Paul Sr, Paul Jr, and Mikey to visit with us at the next rally. The Edgwater Beach Pavilion has indoor and outdoor displays and vendors.
The event schedule is getting harder to keep up with, I lost count at about 31 different Bands including Eli and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. ABATE sponsored Biker Games, there were lingerie shows, a fireworks kickoff show, Tattoo competitions, Bikini contests, poker runs, the inevitable wet t shirt contests, a magnificent Bike Show, the Blessing of the Bikes, a Globe of Death and MC Freestyle show, Biker Breakfasts, events, shows, and bike washes sponsored by and for the Shriners , ABATE, Cops and Kids, and Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Kevin Kight Memorial Parade was once again a huge success. This parade is named in memory of Sergeant Kevin Kight of the Panama City Beach Police Department who lost his life in the line of duty on Front Beach Road on March 27, 2005. I spoke with Joe Biggs last fall before the Fall 2007 Rally, and he assured me that “as long as there is a Thunder Beach Rally on Panama City Beach, there will always be a Kevin Kight Memorial Parade.” I am sure as time goes on and good memories begin to help ease the pain, Kevin’s family will appreciate the unique honor this parade contributes to Kevin’s memory. Kevin believed that service to his community was worth risking his precious life…and this parade brings him back to life to serve again twice a year. Kevin continues to serve the community he loved even in death; as a front line warrior of the Thin Blue Line, no greater honor could be bestowed upon him than to be allowed to continue to serve.

The rumble of the pipes, the smells of leather and hot chrome, the feel of the sea wind in your face, the comraderie of a huge family, a massive display of patriotism and plenty of just plain fun may not appeal to you, and if they don’t, stay home during the Thunder Beach Rallys at Panama City Beach. If all of those things are close to your heart, and make you feel as good about yourself as they do me, y’all come to the September Rally!