Here’s a link to the pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/SocialMediaPCB/FordIronmanFlorida2008#

Tag ‘em, post ‘em, share ‘em… most of all Comment and tell us what you think!!!

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Check ‘em out on our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59342&l=da1ce&id=36950901835

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59346&l=06dfa&id=36950901835

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In addition to live entertainment and a place to crash with a late check-out time, you can start
the New Year right with a fantastic brunch on New Year’s Day!

Clutch, the Las Vegas-style show band that performs rock classics and imitations of dozens of radio heroes, is a Panama City Beach institution. In honor of Lloyd “Buttercup” Faust, (1951-2008) Clutch will be performing live at the Boardwalk Beach Resort New Year’s Eve.

This night is guaranteed to be an event you do not want to miss.

·        Live Entertainment with “Clutch”

·        A Great Monstrous Buffet

·        Full Open Bar including Champagne

·        Party Favors for All

·        Late Check-Out & New Year’s Day Brunch

For more information visit us online: www.GetAwaytotheGulf.com

Here are a few pictures we took… Send us your pictures and keep checking in. We’ll be posting more soon.

And as always, thank you for choosing us as your GetAwaytotheGulf!

Hatchling, nest and tracks in the park

Sea Turtles are an endangered part of the marine life at St. Andrews State Park. The Friends and Staff are very concerned about their welfare. Should you see any turtles on the beach, please do not bother them, but find a park staff member to come rescue them. Turtles will lay eggs in nests they make on our beaches. It is vital that we do not disturb the nests. Please help us protect the sea turtles by keeping away from any nests you might see marked.

The Turtle Watch Program works during the nesting season to find, mark and monitor the nests, so that we can be sure the hatchlings make it to the water safely. Staff members, along with a few expertly trained volunteers, are checking Shell Island and the mainland beach each day for any signs of sea turtle tracks on the beaches.

During the 2007 nesting season, 8 nests on Shell Island and 2 nests on the mainland of the park between the gulf pier and the jetties were monitored. All the nests were loggerheads**. Only 9 of the 10 nests were evaluated because of total nest depredation by a canine at one nest. Five other nests were affected by predators but were not a total loss and staff got a pretty accurate account of the total number of eggs and hatchlings that emerged. The count was: 1050 eggs, 800 hatchlings that emerged, 27 live hatchlings found in nests and later released, 17 dead hatchlings in nests, 2 live piped*, 15 dead piped*, and of the un-hatched eggs there were 16 undamaged and 173 damaged.

The first documented nest of the 2007 season was found on June 1, 2007 and the last was found on August 14, 2007.   (Year 2007 nesting season information provided by Joseph Mocilan, Park Service Specialist, St. Andrews State Park).

* “Piped” refers to eggs where the turtle hatchling has broken through its eggshell, but has not fully emerged from the shell.
** Status: The loggerhead sea turtle (caretta caretta) is listed as threatened throughout its range (Federal Register, July 28, 1978).

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sea Turtle Factsheet

For more information about sea turtles:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sea Turtle Information

This article and more information about St. Andrew’s State Park can be found at www.friendsofstandrews.org

This article and more information about St. Andrew’s State Park can be found at www.friendsofstandrews.org

     Welcome athletes and fans of Ironman Florida! In cooperation with Ironman, a list has been provided of Ironman approved accommodations. The list consists of the ONLY properties and general managers who support the Ironman Florida community. We encourage you to support them, and choose from this wide range of rooms, suites and condominiums.

     The list below consists of each property’s name, minimum stay requirement, location in relation to the race and a link to their respective page. Please note that some condo listings are not online yet and will direct you to its booking engine.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at the beach!

Boardwalk Condos	5 Nights	Ironman Village Transition, Start/Finish Line
Boardwalk Hotel (external web site)	4 Nights	Ironman Village Transition, Start/Finish Line
Sunbird Condos	4 Nights	1/4 mile west of Village (walking distance)
Top of the Gulf Condos		1/4 mile east of Village (walking distance)
Moondrifter Condos		1/4 mile east of Village (walking distance)
Twin Palms Condos	4 Nights	1 mile west of Village on bike course
Ocean Ritz Condos		1 mile west of Village on bike course
Ocean Villa Condos		1 mile west of Village on bike course
Grandview Condos	4 Nights	1.5 miles west of Village on bike course
Sun Swept Condos	3 Nights	2.4 miles east of Village on run course
Nautical Watch Condos	3 Nights	2.8 miles east of Village on run course
Watercrest Condos	3 Nights	2.9 miles east of Village on run course
Emerald Isle Condos	No minimum	7.5 miles west of Village
Laketown Wharf	4 Nights	1/4 mile west of Village (walking distance)

About Ironman Florida in Panama City Beach

     The Ford Ironman Florida triathlon, held in Panama City Beach, Florida each November, is one of the most popular events on the Ironman schedule. The 2007 event closed to general entry in less than five hours!

     Ford Ironman Florida, which will take place for the tenth time in 2008, is well known in the triathlon community as an age-group race, and as a great race for first-time Ironman triathletes.
     Utilizing the stunning beaches of Panama City Beach, Ironman Florida offers a great opportunity for athletes to get “their feet wet” in Ironman events, and also provides a last competition before the winter season sets in.

      Panama City provides a great volunteer network, as the community has played host to the Gulf Coast Triathlon in May for the past 20 + years.

       1.    Relax on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world

       2.    Pier Park – Newly developed – restaurants, retail, multi-plex movie theater,

              Plus – concert events, kids events, seasonal events.

      3.    Dan Russell Fishing Pier, County Pier & St. Andrews State Park

      4.    Amusement and Water Parks                                                   

      5.    Golf – Five – 18 Hole courses in the area

      6.    Charter fishing trips 

      7.    Diving and Snorkeling

      8.    Marine Site Seeing

      9.    Gulf World Marine Park

     10.    Watersports – Parasailing, pontoon boat rentals, wave runner rentals

                      …and much, much more

The Signature Festival of Panama City Beach

Columbus Day Weekend ~ October 10, 11 & 12, 2008
Frank Brown Park 

The idea is simple – a celebration of the wonderful array of local area seafood prepared by local chefs merged with local and area wines, entertainment and vendors with a special focus on families. The Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine & Music Festival is designed to reflect a true taste of the coast, a true toast to the coast and some of the world’s best entertainment – we promise it will be like no other festival ever presented on Panama City Beach.

SEAFOOD, CELEBRITY CHEF EXHIBITIONS & more
Local and area celebrity chef’s from some of the legendary Panama City Beach restaurants including Reggae J’s, Breakers, Saltwater Grill, The Back Porch, Firefly, Hammerhead Fred’s, Boatyard, and more to be announced will perform special exhibitions over the 3 day event – featuring some of the best seafood you ever tasted, and some of the best wine you’ve ever tasted! This is in addition to the wonderful array of food available from local and area restaurants and other various food vendors will supply the staples you’ve come to love about outdoor festivals.

WINE from LOCAL & NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VINEYARDS
The festival offers three full-bodied days of wining, dining and socializing amid several local, domestic and international wines. We are proud to announce Florida’s own Southern Wine & Spirits as our exclusive wine partner. They will host rare wine auctions, present celebrity winemakers, top vineyards, and Grand Wine tasting events and more. Beginners will have an opportunity to sample the wines, learning about the make-up and the regions they come from while wine experts will have an opportunity to sample some of the rarer wines they might not otherwise get a chance to try. There will be a CHARITY WINE DINNER that will help to raise funds for a deserving local charity to be held prior to the festival, Thursday night October 9th at Breakers Restaurant – this event is limited seating and will sell out – click here to get your tickets.

GRAND WINE TASTINGS
Included with General Admission tickets, adults 21+ will have an opportunity to taste wines from all over the world, learn about them, and more.

MUSIC & other Entertainment

From the beginning of the festival on Friday to the very end on Sunday, the music and entertainment will never end. Friday, Saturday and Sunday night will be capped off with headliner entertainment including:  

• 38 SPECIAL  Fri. October 10^th
• BLUES TRAVELER  Sat. October 11^th
• CRAIG MORGAN powered by Case IH  Sun. October 12th

There will truly be entertainment for all tastes at the Panama City Beach Seafood & Wine Festival. The sounds of local and area jazz, rock and country bands including Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, Todd Allen Herendeen, On Call Jazz Band, Jones and Company, Steven Youngblood, King Cotton, Southern Satisfaction, Creole for Kidz, Steve’s Kazoo Krew Band and more will fill the air. click here to get advance discount tickets now

FAMILY FUN DAYS    

Saturday and Sunday there will be a special focus on family activities and events from 11am-3pm both days – don’t miss the “KIDS LUNCH WITH SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS” & special KIDS CONCERT’S, Kids’ Hands On Art Activities with Visual Arts Center, Gallagher’s Gymnastics Team, Creole For Kids with Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, Steve’s Kazoo Crew Band, A Bouncer Village will feature over a dozen giant bouncy experiences, there will also be face painting, special appearances by your favorite cartoon characters, plus other activities designed especially for the family and children. There is even a family budget friendly daytime only ticket – click here for info

CLASSIC CAR SHOW 

Saturday and Sunday there will be a special “Classic Car Show” with over 50 cars on display.

ARTS, CRAFTS, ANTIQUES & MORE     

The Panama City Beach Seafood & Wine Festival will feature select arts & crafts vendors, retail vendors, antique dealers, and various community/charity vendors. Specialty jewelry, wood crafts, wine racks, pottery sales & demonstrations, glass art & demonstrations, stained glass, ceramics, quilts, folk art, and more.

• Located at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, FL
• Close to the all new Pier Park
• 15 minutes from Panama City International Airport (PFN)

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Stay 2 nights in a gorgeous 2 bedroom 2 bath condo at Emerald Isle for as low as $139* a night and receive 2 complimentary tickets to this signature event!

For reservations or details on this special offer, click here or call 1-800-224-GULF.

Be sure to click on the “Packages & Specials” tab

*Offer valid while supplies last and subject to availability. Offer may not be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on group bookings or on existing reservations. Valid 10/9/08 -10/12/08. 2 night minimum stay required.

Greer joins the Royal American Hospitality team with a proven track record of simultaneously increasing guest satisfaction and revenue while lowering operating costs. He has over 21 years of experience in the operation and management of hotels, resorts, convention centers, and rental properties. Most recently, Greer was employed with ABEC Resorts of Destin as the Director of Operations for the Palms of Destin Spa Resort and Conference Center, Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa and Silver Beach Towers. Over the course of his career he has held management positions with flagship hotel chains, including Opryland Nashville, Radisson Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Embassy Suites and the Trump Hotel & Casino Resorts in Atlantic City and The Grand Hyatt in New York City.

To further his education, Greer earned an AA in Applied Culinary Science from the Academy of Culinary Arts, holds certifications in Hospitality Management from Johnson County College and also attended Glassboro State College.

As he looks forward to becoming more involved in the Panama City Beach community, his past affiliations include Destin Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society Cattle Barons Ball committee, Destin Little League coach, active member and parishioner of Resurrection Catholic Church in Mirimar Beach.

Greer resides in Destin with his wife and three children.

You can choose from variety of activities including parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat rides and relaxing in comfy lounge chairs. You can also plan a fishing trip, go sailing, experience the gulf on a pontoon boat, take the family snorkeling or a local favorite, the dolphin tour.

Check out the rates below:

Parasailing:
• 1,200 Feet – 3 Mile Ride $69.00 Per Person
• 900 Feet – 2 Mile Ride $59.00 Per Person
• 600 Feet – 1 Mile Ride $49.00 Per Person

Jet Ski Rental:
• Full Hour – $94.00
• Half Hour – $59.00

Lounge Chair Rental:
• Daily – $25.00

Banana Boat Ride:
• 3 Miles – $19.00 Per Person
• 2 Miles – $14.00 Per Person

Sailboat Rental:
• Hourly $59.00 (Up to Four People Per Trip)

For a complete list of activities, rates & rental procedures, please visit www.watersportspc.com, call 850-235-9000 or email info@watersportspc.com.

Open for breakfast each morning from 8:00 – 11:00 am,
guests may choose from:

• Starbucks coffee
• 3-Egg omelets
• Breakfast wraps
• Biscuits & gravy
• Krispy Kreme donuts as well as an assortment of pastries

Other delicious items include:
Tiki Breez Pizza- made to order, dine-in or carry-out
Kitchens’ Ice Cream- A large assortment of flavors, scoops or shakes

Location & Hours of Operation:

8:00 am – 10:00 pm / 7 days a week
Conveniently located in the west-end of the Boardwalk Beach Resort
tower’s pool deck.