My Perdido

Jam tonight at 9:30 at the Flora-Bama with Sam Glass and friends! http://bit.ly/cLj2gT

Perdido, Gambling and Assisted Living

Planning Board Meeting March 8th, 2010

Monday, March 8th, 2010,could be a very important day to Perdido Key and the Perdido area.  The future of gaming and a change to codes along Innerarity to allow an assisted living facility will be discussed at the Planning Board. The meeting will be at 8:30 at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room, 1st Floor, County Admin Building at 221 Palafox Place.

The Presidents' Forum is an advocacy group for the Home Owners' Association in the Perdido area and they are presenting points to the county officials on an ordinace to regulate placement of any gaming facility on Perdido Key.  This all grew out of the proposed "Bingo Parlor" that was the source of great controversy last  year.  That facilty was first "advertised" by developers as a larger, convention center like complex with hotel etc.  No promises were made but groups like the Presidents' Forum and the Perdido Key Association raised serious questions and the resulting legal filings held up the establishment of the developers' plans.

Also a discussion will take place that will be centered on changes necessary to the codes along Innerarity Point Rd where an Assisted Living complex is proposed by Trademark Properties, Inc.  This could be a great shot in the arm for our businesses, churches, Community Center etc.

For more information contact the County Commissioners at  http://www.co.escambia.fl.us/

 

Economic Indicators

First it was Target, then MacDonalds now Publix. The Perdido area is one of the bright spots for economic development and jobs creation, even to the establishment of poker at the Penscola Dog Track in or area.  Here is a quick news snippet to show that the Pensacola News Journal has taken notice.

Publix coming to Perdido Key

Perdido Key is getting a much-needed economic shot in the arm with Publix Supermarkets' decision to build a new store at Sorrento Road and Perdido Key Drive.

Danny Weeden, a deputy building official for Escambia County, said the new multimillion-dollar store is under construction and scheduled for completion later this year.

When opened, the new store will bring to seven the number of Publix Supermarkets operating in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Lost Key Java

Great Perdido Key Establishment Under New Ownership

Many of the Key's residents and visitors may not know it yet but the Lost Key Java has changed ownership in the last few weeks.  Dana Story and Lance Bowerstock have bought the well known "coffee shop" and turned it into more of a deli, sandwich, gathering place.  They still serve all of the coffees and specialties that were served under the previous owners Mark and Vikki Robertson.  If you did not know Mark is a retired Naval Aviator (Navy pilot for those non-Navy types). He and Vikki opened the shop years ago and developed a loyal following despite the challenges of operating through high summer seasons and slow traffic in the off times.  Mark is really retired now. It remains the place to find the usual suspects and the tourists, snowbirds, and in the summer the early morning dads and moms taking respite from sunburned kids sleeping in at the beach condos of Perdido.  Teens and the other techno crowd come by all times of the day for free wireless internet and lattes and the rest.

Dana is quoted in Facebook :

"Well, it's been two weeks since taking over Lost Key Java & Deli, and now we are ready . Black Bean Soup, White Chicken Chili, Steamed or Cold Deli Sandwiches, and of course, the famous Cranberry Chicken Salad. Thank you to everyone who has helped me with these great recipes. Check out the Perdido Key Chamber's Week...ly Update for a coupon and ask us about our Coffee Club."

Dana is the wife of Marcus Story, owner of the Jellyfish Bar, another great spot on Perdido Key.  This husband and wife team serve on the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce.  By the way check out the new Perdido Visitors' site for more tips on what is shakin' in the Perdido and Pensacola area.  You can check out much more along the left side of this blog in the links section.

 

1,000 Thanks For The Troops Meeting March 9 on the Key



Would you like to support our American soldier deployed overseas? You can by joining 1,000 Thanks for the Troops, a non-profit organization that sends personally written messages of support to our troops deployed overseas. Each message is included in a handmade thank you pack created by the group’s volunteers. To find out more and be part of this vital endeavor, come to a meeting at Artworks Gallery at Villagio, 13700 Perdido Key Dr. on Perdido Key the 2nd Tuesday of each month starting at 5:30 p.m. Info: Dan at 850-361-9759. or email drolett@cox.net

Strange News Story; Coyotes and Perdido??

Here is story unusual for the Perdido Area...Coyotes!!

 Coyotes are being seen wandering around more neighborhoods... And that's got some home owners worried.

Subdivisions from Gulf Breeze.. to Perdido Key have seen the wild, four-legged animals on the prowl recently.

Channel 3's Bill Pearson spoke with people in one neighborhood about the problem...

Bill, what are people most worried about?

James, there are no reports yet of a coyote attacking a human... But several people I spoke with today said they were concerned the coyotes would get braver... And more dangerous.

Several people living in the Chandelle Subdivision Off Gulf Beach Highway say they see coyotes wondering the streets on a regular basis.

Here is the video http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wear_vid_6835.shtml

Most of the time... The coyotes are not a problem.

But... Some people like Mike Yarborough... Say the coyotes have already shown why they pose a threat... And why more people should be on the lookout.

Mike Yarborough said, "My wife and daughter were coming in about 7:30 in the evening to the house. I think they're the ones that saw him with a cat in his mouth. He was walking right down the middle of the street."

Oyster Bar of Perdido

Here is a reblog on one of my favorite restaurants.

Oyster Bar on Perdido Key

by Jenn
(San Antonio, Tx)

A Great Date Restaurant

The Oyster Bar Restaurant and Marina in Pensacola, Florida is a wonderfully romantic restaurant for first dates, anniversaries, or any dress-up occasion. The Oyster Bar sits just a few miles across the state line, so it's an easy drive for locals or vacationers in the Alabama Gulf Shores area.

The Oyster Bar is actually on the second floor of its building, so boats can literally dock right underneath the restaurant. When you walk upstairs, you'll be blown away by the panoramic views -- the Oyster Bar has floor to ceiling windows that offer diners a spectacular 270 degree water view from almost anywhere in the restaurant.

The food is just as great as the view. I have really enjoyed many of their grouper dishes, especially the Grouper Maryland Style, which comes with a huge chunk of jumbo lump crab meat on top of the tender fish. The seafood gumbo is also a big favorite as well. And of course, you can’t go wrong with their namesake dish – oysters! You can order your oysters raw, baked, fried, or blackened – whatever suits your fancy.

The service is relaxed and friendly. Even if it's your first visit, your waitress will treat you like an old friend -- you'll never have to worry about quick drink refills here! If you can’t decide on an entrée, the wait-staff can help with that too – they will give you honest advice on what’s good, and not just push the special of the day on you.

I have really enjoyed my visits to the Oyster Bar over the years -- it's always my first stop when I visit my family in the area. If you enjoy good seafood and amazing views, this is the restaurant for you!

Weekend Entertainment in Perdido Area

 Wide Range of Events

Brian Kelly publishes information in the Pensacola News Journal Weekender about events from Gulf Shores through the Perdido area.  Here is a good example of the variety of things to do to spice up your visit to Perdido Key and our surroundings from Brian and other sources.

Hub Staceys

It's hard to believe that Hub Stacey's on the Point, 5851 Galvez Road, opened more than half a decade ago, changing the Perdido Key food and beverage landscape. But it's true, the now-famous watering hole situated along the idyllic banks of the Intracoastal Waterway turns six this month.  To commemorate this milestone, Hub and Donna Stacey invite the community for an all-day birthday bash on Saturday. The festivities begin at 2 p.m. with a crawfish boil, followed by the music of the Kyle Parker Band at 4 p.m. Parker will perform his brand of classic rock and roll with a touch of blues. At 8 p.m., the dynamic musical duo of Lyden Up, featuring Les Lyden on guitar and vocals with Daniel Mosley banging on the bongos, takes the stage.

Details: 497-0071.

The King comes alive

On Saturday, the King of Rock and Roll will rise from his Graceland resting place for one show at the Flora-Bama Lounge and Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive.

OK, Elvis will remain where he is, but Jack Robertson (a.k.a. Big Earl), Elvis Presley's incarnation, will perform as the Big Earlvis show.

Last year was the debut performance for the Big Earlvis Show, and more than 700 people watched this production of Robertson playing Elvis during the later years of his life in Las Vegas.

For Robertson, already an established Flora-Bama musical icon and veteran singer/songwriter on the Gulf Coast, playing his hero came naturally.

As Elvis in the later years, Robertson will cover a wide variety of songs from throughout Elvis' career, but the performance and costume will highlight his later years as a Vegas star. Garbed on stage in a several detailed costumes, black pompadour and dark sunglasses, Big Earlvis will perform classics such as "Suspicious Minds," "Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel," "C.C. Rider" and "Viva Las Vegas."

Those who attend this show won't see some drunk guy on karaoke night. There will be a full band with back-up singers, incuding local favorites LeaAnne Creswell and Lisa Daniels dressed in mini-skirts, go-go boots and 1970s makeup.

In addition to a show with high production values, intricate costumes and plenty of stage props, Robertson says last year there were no shortage of women who came dressed as the king's ex-wife, Priscilla. In fact, Robertson expects lots of Priscillas to be at the show this weekend.

For Robertson, this show it's about celebrating the life of Las Vegas' most memorable act.

"It's a complete different show than what I normally do," Robertson says. "It's all about Elvis that night. The band is amazing, and I try to sing as much like Elvis as I can. I must admit that my Elvis dance moves aren't that good, except for my karate kick. Last year, people were up toward the front of the stage giving me roses and trying to grab me, I thought I was the king for about an hour and a half."

Details: 492-0611, or visit www.florabama.com.

National Naval Aviation Museum Concert Series

The Museum Concert Series is in full swing for the month of February, 2010!

• Orlando Jazz Orchestra - 7 p.m., Saturday, February 27

The Cubi Bar Cafe will feature a special menu before each concert with a cash bar.

Regular admission for the Orlando Jazz Orchestra is $25.00 per person. Click here to purchase tickets online.

Additional discounts are available for Foundation members, active duty (with military ID) and groups of 20 or more. Please call the Foundation office at (850) 453-2389 or (800) 327-5002 for more details.

Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park.

Big Lagoon State Park

Mardi Gras On Perdido Key

7 Surprising places to celebrate Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras parties! by Katarina Kovacevic Mardis Gras, or Fat Tuesday, falls on February 16 this year, and we all know New Orleans is the place to celebrate. But if you can't make it to good ol' Loo-se-yana this year, you'll want to check out one of these destinations that can hold their own against the Big Easy. San Diego Celebrate in the heart of downtown San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter with floats, live bands, festive drinks and beads, beads, beads! There's a wealth of dining, shopping and nightlife opportunities with hotel offerings in the area ranging from the posh US Grant to the sexy Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Fat Tuesday in this coastal town features more than 10 DJ's, dining deals from local restaurants like Marble Room and The Merk, and a carnival-like atmosphere. Venice, Italy For eight days before Lent each winter, tourists and partygoers flood the ancient Italian city for pageants, concerts and balls until Shrove Tuesday signals the beginning of the fasting season. Mardis Gras, or Carnevale, in Venice is one of the largest Italian celebrations and includes gondola and boat parades along the Grand Canal, mask parties in St. Mark's Square, and a grand fireworks show to end the party in style. Mobile, Alabama Mobile is located just 45 minutes from the mother of all Mardis Gras throw downs, New Orleans, but puts up a festive fight all on its own. In fact, today's Mardis Gras madness as we know it actually originated from Mobile in the mid-1800s. It's even got an organization dedicated just to the celebration, the Mobile Area Mardis Gras Association. Parades begin in late January and run all the way to Feb. 16 when the entire town comes out for the Fat Tuesday celebration. St. Louis Missouri's Mardis Gras celebration is rumored to be the second largest behind the Big Easy. Thousands of fans flock to the "Gateway to the West" each year to partake in special events like the "Southern Comfort Taste of Soulard" festival where several of the restaurant's establishments offer samples of their signature dishes and drinks. The "Lumiere Light Up the Night Fat Tuesday Parade" headlines the event on Feb. 16 through downtown. Snowmass Village, Colorado Revel in Fat Tuesday celebrations in ski country! The party, started by New Orleans natives, kicks off with "The Mother of All Ascensions," a wild, costumed 1,741-foot vertical uphill race up Snowmass at the crack of dawn. And non-stop action follows with crawdad boils, live music, costumed parade, mask-making contests and more. Basel, Switzerland In Switzerland it's known as Fastnacht and, except for Oktoberfest, it is the one time of year when normally demure Germans, Austrians and Swiss go a bit, well, crazy. This three-day affair has become a legendary event amongst Europeans and dates back to 1376. Celebrations start off at 4 a.m. on the first day with dressed-up bands marching through the streets, and continue with bonfire parties, live music, and masquerade balls. Perdido Key, Florida Folks in this Florida town take their Mardis Gras celebrations seriously, to say the least, but it's also a destination that's family friendly so Grandma or Junior won't see anything they're not supposed to. Originally discovered by the Spanish in 1893, the literal translation of the town's name means "Lost Key," so Fat Tuesday celebrations pay homage to the town's roots. One unique aspect is the "Mardis Gras Flotilla" party where locals go all-out and deck their boats before parading through the waterways that surround the Key.