My Perdido

Thunder on the Gulf

Power Boat Event 10 Minutes from Perdido Key

The following news was released by the organizers of this exciting event just across the state line.

 Orange Beach, AL – September 23, 2011 – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.com is proud to present the Gulf Coast Powerboat Association’s 9^th Annual Thunder on The Gulf Championship Powerboat Festival which gets underway soon.  Spearheading this year’s race week are Event Coordinator Kathy Melson, Founder Gary  Nichols and Executive Board Members Damon Collins and Marty McGreevy.  This year’s event will offer many events over 5 days for the entire family to enjoy.

New Events This Year Include:  2 Ticketed VIP Race Viewing Areas, one at Race Central at Perdido Beach Resort on Saturday and Sunday October 8^th and 9^th and at the Island House Hotel, the Official Host Hotel, for Friday and Sunday’s Race on October 7^th and 9^th.  An Official Welcome Party hosted by the Flora Bama Lounge and Perdido Key Chamber, Pre-Race Party at Happy Harbor on the Line, a Meet and Greet Reception and Bikini Contest at Live Bait II, a Boat Parade to Main Street on the Wharf where Race Fans can buy Race Programs and get autographs from all of their favorite Race Teams and a Gala featuring a Silent and Live Auction, as well as entertainment by the Fabulous Tip Tops at the Event Center at the Wharf!  Race Village will feature Concessions, Vendors and a Kid’s Pavilion.

For a complete list of sponsors, a Schedule of Events and to purchase VIP Passes and Gala Tickets visit www.ThunderOnTheGulf.com. 

Holiday Harbor on Perdido Key "Clean Marina"

PENSACOLA - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership, welcomes the Holiday Harbor Marina to the Florida Clean Marina Program. This voluntary state initiative recognizes marinas and boatyards for their commitment to the protection of Florida’s waterways and natural resources.

“Congratulations to Holiday Harbor Marina on becoming a designated Clean Marina,” said DEP Northwest District Director Shawn Hamilton. “Their dedication to environmental stewardship, including implementing  water quality improvements and recycling, among other initiatives, will help protect the area’s natural resources for future generations.”

To become a designated member of the Florida Clean Marina Program, facilities must implement a set of environmental measures designed to protect Florida’s waterways. These measures address critical environmental issues such as sensitive habitats, waste management, stormwater control, spill prevention and emergency preparedness.

“We are pleased to be chosen as part of Florida’s Clean Marina Program. Our company is very concerned about the environment and we are proud to take part in helping to keep the waterway clean,” said Thomas Bizzell, owner of Holiday Harbor.

Florida has more than 1 million registered motorized vessels and more than 2,000 marinas - the largest number of marine facilities in the country. Drawing millions of visitors each year, Florida’s clear waters, world-class beaches and coral reefs support a $60.8 billion tourism industry, an $18.9 billion boating industry and a fishing industry that injects more than $7.5 billion a year into Florida’s communities. Protecting Florida’s waterways is essential to the health of the state’s environment and economy.

“Holiday Harbor Marina has come a long way since its early days in the 1980s,” says John H. Naybor, Chairman, Clean Boating Partnership.  “It is now a top-notch modern facility which represents all that the Clean Marina program stands for. We are proud to welcome Holiday Harbor into the Clean Marina family of Florida marinas.” 
Ceremony attendees included Jeanne A. Williams, Northwest District Director Shawn Hamilton, owners Tom Bizzell, Allen Bizzell, Dockmaster Bill Davis, facility employee Chris Ledet, owner Steven Bizzell.

 

Turtle nesting climbs along area coastline

Sea turtle nesting season is on a record-breaking pace. That's the word from Gulf Islands National Seashore officials who had been concerned there might be a decrease in nests in the wake the BP oil spill last year.

The 68 nests counted this year on Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key top the previous record of 58 nests in 2000, said Andrew Diller, marine biologist with Sea Grant of Escambia County. The recording of sea turtle nests on weekly basis goes back to 1991.

Diller goes on turtle patrol before dawn, counting nests from Johnson Beach to the end of the seashore on Perdido Key. The undeveloped areas of the seashore see the most nests, Diller said.

"The darkness and remoteness will always mean better numbers," he said. All but one of the nests recorded are loggerhead sea turtles; there is one Kemp's ridley turtle nest, Diller said. Kemp's ridley turtles are one of the most rare species of sea turtles, which typically nest along the Mexican and Texas coasts, Diller said.

Mark Nicholas, park biologist with the seashore, says light pollution and boaters remain the biggest — and most immediate — threat to turtles.

"When an adult female turtle is killed by a boater, that is a big deal to the future population," Nicholas said. "That female's only job is to produce as many eggs as she can."

Joyce Williams, 49, of Ocean Springs, Miss., doesn't like to think about boaters or oil harming the sea turtles she loves so much.

"I just love them so much, but they're hard to see. You don't want to shine a flashlight on them but I would love to see a nest up close," Williams said. "If we stay out of their way, the sea turtles will be fine I believe."

GREAT STRIDES TRAIL RIDE

Event to benefit Cystic Fibrosis to take place in Fairhope this weekend.

Check out the great raffle prize donated by one of your Perdido area neighbors Capt. Jim Stone

 

RAFFLE: Winner receives (2) 8-Hour Walk-On Deep Sea Fishing Trip aboard the Charter Boat                 "EMERALD COAST"  

 

Everything for the trip will be provided including rods and reels, bait, and license.  All you need to bring is food and beverages and be ready to have a GREAT TIME!

For more details call 1-877-211-1687

Mardi Gras on the Water Perdido Key Style

Pirates of the Lost Treasure Flotilla

One of the great events of the season is the Mardi Gras boat parade around the inland waters surrounding Perdido Key.  This year will be no exception.  Take a look at a shot during last year's festivities.

The fleet will depart the Holiday Harbor Marina at 1045 Saturday with spectator viewing at the Sunset Grill. It will travel to the Oyster Bar, U-turn, shower the Perdido Bay Seafood docks with beads, bombard Galvez Landing and head west and take over Perdido Key, storm the docks along Ole River, raid the Flora-Bama dock, pillage the Silver Moon and celebrate the victory party at the Flora-Bama at 1 p.m. Awards will be announced at 2 p.m. Registration: $25 per boat for the decorating contest. Holiday Harbor Marina, 14050 Canal A Way No. 3. John Adams, 293-2646.

Pensacola Chamber Q&A for Visitors

DEEPWATER HORIZON/BP OIL SPILL Q&A for VISITORS

Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key are open! Our area has not been impacted by the oil spill, nor is there a current forecast for a projected landfall. However, oil has now been reported within 10 miles of the beaches. Any sightings of oil on shore will be reported immediately. Currently, our water is open for swimming and fishing, and quality Florida seafood is readily available for you to enjoy. We will continue to monitor forecasts and post news at VisitPensacola.com.

Are the beaches open? Can I go swimming?

Yes, our beaches are open and the water is fine. Our beaches have not impacted by the oil spill. Our beaches and our water are beautiful. The Department of Health and Department of Environmental Protection are closely monitoring health and environmental impacts related to the oil spill to Florida’s beaches and will notice an advisory if conditions become unsafe.

 Can I still go on a scuba diving trip?

Diver operators continue to conduct trips. Dive locations are being monitored to assure there is no oil present.

Can I go fishing?

Yes, Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are open for fishing. There is a fishing ban in the vicinity of the oil spill, but that ban is far from our coastline.

Is the seafood safe?

Yes, our Florida seafood is safe and readily available at restaurants and markets for you to enjoy. Though an area of the Gulf of Mexico has been closed to fishing, none of the fish being sold, either by seafood purveyors or at restaurants was caught in the closed area. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) carefully inspects all seafood sold.

 Are there fumes on the beach?

No, there are no fumes. The Department of Health and Department of Environmental Protection are closely monitoring health and environmental impacts related to the oil spill to Florida’s beaches and will notice an advisory if conditions become unsafe.

Are there any tarballs?

No tarballs have been spotted in the area as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Should I cancel my hotel room this weekend? Next week? Fourth of July?

Right now, everything is open, and it’s business - and pleasure - as usual. We have not been impacted by the oil spill, and we are monitoring forecasts closely. We wish we could give you a more definite answer, but the best we can do is update you with what we find out daily. All beaches are being monitored on a continuing basis and should conditions change, advisories will be posted immediately.

Will hotels allow me to cancel my room?

You can discuss your contract directly with your hotel. Many of the hotels and rental properties have relaxed their cancellation policies to better meet your travel needs during this time.

What’s being done to contain the spill?

The Deepwater Horizon Response Team (U.S. Coast Guard, Homeland Security, NOAA, BP, Transocean and the Department of the Interior) is working diligently to contain the oil spill. For details, go to www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

What is being done to protect the beach?

Currently conditions have been favorable to keep the oil away from our beaches. Weather patterns are being closely monitored by both state and federal agencies. Plans have been drawn up for an inshore system of booms to prevent any oil, should it arrive, from spreading into our bays and estuaries. Also, sand and water samples are being taken on a regular basis and submitted to laboratory testing.

Has any local wildlife been affected?

Currently there is no evidence the Deepwater Horizon incident has had a direct adverse affect on wildlife at Pensacola Beach.

How can I get current information concerning my travel plans?

We have a link established on our home page at VisitPensacola.com. We have linked to Escambia County’s Web site, NOAA, and the official Deepwater Horizon Response team’s Web site.

I’m a member of the media and would like to reach someone for an interview. Who should I contact?

Ed Schroeder, director of the Pensacola Bay Area CVB, (850) 384-3308

 

News Report Video-Gulf Beaches are Beautiful

Here is an accurate, timely, and positive news report out of St. Louis about Destin and the impact of the false perception being left by national news.

 

The Coast Is Clear

Perdido Key Chamber and Pensacola Chambers Come out Swinging

The local Chambers of Commerce have taken a very aggressive approach going out in front of the bad publicity we have suffered under since the BP oil spill.  Those who have been staying with my blog posts know that our beaches are beautiful, pristine, unspoiled, unaffected and that is not the impression of the people outside of our coasts.  That false perception is killing our economy because we can't prove what we are not so too many do not know what we are...paradise and open for business.

Here is a bit of publicity to prove the point. http://www.visitpensacola.com/content/oil-spill-update/

Please pass it on.

 

Perdido Key Publicity

The saying goes "How do you prove something you are NOT?"

Perdido Key is not contaminated with oil, our beaches are as beautiful as ever.  The beaches are not closed, in fact they are full of folks because the weather is gorgeous. The fishing is not shut down, in fact the intracoastal fishing is completely unrestricted and the state Gulf waters (9 miles out) are completely open and only 5% of Federal waters are closed "for study".  Charter captains have reported great catches inshore of speckled trout and red fish, and offshore catches of grouper, amberjack, and trigger.  There is not an odor of any kind, petroleum or other.  Swimmers are not restricted from the water because of polution.

Just as vicious, unfounded rumors can be hurtful  to persons, the misinformation you might hear about Perdido Key and the surrounding area is a publicity nightmare.  We need the help of all those who love this area to write your papers, tell your family, friends and co-workers, spread the word where ever possible that Perdido Key is open for business and could not be more welcoming.  We need a grass roots campaign so pitch in, do what you can to support our efforts to keep your beach, our beach, in the public eye.  Thank you.

Coastal Updates-Perdido Key

Active citizens of the Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, the Perdido Key Association, the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce, and the Perdido Key Residents’ Forum have provided a newsletter for Perdido Key, a joint publication , no hype, just news you can use.  Here is the first installment; "Coastal Updates"

Look for the file of all updates as they are published in coming weeks in this blog.