My Perdido

Interesting Discussion- Perdido Key and "Gaming"

2010-03-15T16:15:18-07:00

Ever since we flirted with a bingo hall on Perdido Key last year the discussions pro and con have been interesting. Many thought the business it could bring to the Key was significant and worth pursuing while others thought it was the wrong kind of business and could bring a seedier clientele than our family friendly area would find worth the possible economic upside.

A moratorium county wide was imposed while the dust settled after the developers' plans were shown to be somewhat different than the public pronouncements made to the locals. It was to be a paper bingo hall, legal by law as an exempted enterprise, but the machines and other games, currently illegal, were to come later according to their business plan. They were betting (pun intended) that the laws could be, might be changed or circumvented as they have in other areas of the country when the concept of a gaming establishment was in place making money for the developers, the Key and the county. This was apparently a foot in the door process with lots of caveats that might or might not lead to the convention space and hotel that appeared in their artists renderings. I am not judging them or their motives just stating facts. The locals remain divided on what Perdido Key might realize from the proposals. In the mean time the county began looking at ordinances to regulate bingo and "adult arcades" during the moratorium period.

The first step was to define these various aspects of gaming. That is a lot easier said than done as coveys of lawyers working for gaming interests all over the country are experts at loop holes and nuances of the legal language centered on these gaming/gambling/skill games/sweepstakes/bingo enterprises. The folks who develop these types of entities lean heavily on the specialized crafting of the law and the ways they can fit their businesses within it. Again no judgement intended but factually how these businesses manage. Agree or disagree with gambling it is like alcohol or tobacco use, people are bound and determined so you have to depend on the laws or the vendors to avoid "wild west" operators of adult arcades that come in all forms and levels.

Now we are looking at the results of the county government staffs and the same groups, pro and con, are concerned. Are Escambia county authorities trashing the ability of citizens to use their property on Perdido Key as they wish and as it appears to be zoned for OR are they allowing future uses that exploit obvious need for business and attractions at the expense of what is held near and dear to others. Couple all this with a deep seeded distrust in our area of the county officials to have Perdido's best interests in mind. History would seem to back those who are wary of the county approach to Perdido. With this ordinance debate spilling across the entire county there are concerns that the Key will not be first in mind and the gaming laws might not equitably fit into the Perdido zoning.

My connection to the community puts me in a position to hear all sides of the arguments and to be fair there are probably 3 or 4 variations based on moral grounds, actuarial grounds, legal grounds and aesthetic grounds. One thing is very clear and that is the sincere desire of all of the local Perdido factions to do what is best for Perdido Key. The new Chamber Board (for full disclosure I am a member) can be given credit for a new fresh spirit of cooperation, accomodation, respect and civility amongst and between interest groups.

I am anxious to hear thoughts of many other concerned citizens and of those of my friends, customers and even people I never met who have an opinion on this interesting discussion. Please use the ability of comment to this blog to voice your thoughts.

Perdido Key Favorite Son Front Page News

2010-03-15T09:51:13-07:00

Perdido Key's Own Fred Garth

Fred has just published his third book, Good Day to Live, and it is centered on life along Perdido Bay in the 1960s. His work and involvement in the Perdido area is highlighted in the Pensacola News Journal today. Read the entire article here.

St. Patty's Day Perdido Key Style

2010-03-14T15:56:42-07:00

Perdido Key St. Pat’s Bus Crawl Starts at Jellyfish

Come join the Perdido Key based "Irish For A Day Gang" for a fun evening to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style during the Perdido Key Pub Crawl on March 17. The Crawl begins begins at Jellyfish Martini Bar, 13700 Perdido Key Dr., in the Shops at Villagio on the Key with a 4 p.m. check in. The party kicks off at 5 p.m., and the first bus leaves Jellyfish at 6 p.m., and the second bus will follow at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $30 per person, including a bus ticket, a drink ticket for a free first drink at each stop, a t-shirt commemorating the occasion, and a derby hat. A few of the venues are offering Corned Beef and Cabbage too!! New for this year is a 50/50 drawing. There will be two buses running. So be sure to purchase the correct ticket for the appropriate time slot. For more info, call 850-332-6532 or 850-492-9696. The bus will leave the Villagio parking lot, travel to Hub Stacey's, come back to the Purple Parrot Tiki Bar, stop at the Reef, go to Flora-Bama, then return to Jellyfish Bar for the after party.

Perdido Key This Week

2010-03-12T05:36:33-08:00

Events are Plenty as Spring is Sprung

Spring Fling and Auction: Free admission and parking from Noon-6PM. Food, fun, music and inflatable games are the highlights for the kids but adults can enjoy the auction of donated new or gently used household items to benefit the Perdido Bay United Methodist Community Center. Items or cash donations will be accepted. Jewelry, art, beach condo weekends, dining experiences, electronics, furniture and the like are on the auction block. Perdido Bay Community Center 13660 Innerarity Point Road (just off Sorrento Rd.) 497-0000 paul@pbumc.net

This spring break an Orange Beach tradition takes place along the idyllic view of the back bay with the Orange Beach Festival of Art March 13 and 14 along the banks of Waterfront Park.This two-day outdoor festival brings together fine art from around the Southeast and locally.

In addition to the more than 70 visual arts exhibitors, this year's festival will feature a literary authors' tent, children's art alley, wine tasting tent, live musical stage, on site glass blowing at the Hot Shop and a performing arts stage.

One of the highlights of the festival is the performing arts stage, spearheaded by acclaimed director, Rio Barlow, who will be directing the performing arts stage. She has had a successful career in the United States and Europe as a professional ballerina. She has served as ballet mistress for Ballet Pensacola and the Alabama School of Fine Arts.

Perdido Key St Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: The Irish festivities begin at 4 p.m. at the Jellyfish Bar at Villagio, 13700 Perdido Key Drive, where the first bus will depart at around 6 p.m. From the Jellyfish, buses stop at Hub Stacey's on the Point, the Tiki Bar at Purple Parrot, The Reef and the Flora-Bama Lounge and Package before returning to the Jellyfish Bar. Tickets are $30 and include a seat on the bus, a free drink at each stop and an official T-shirt. Details: 332-6532.

NATIONAL NATIVE HIV/AIDS AWARENESS EVENT

2010-03-11T12:39:39-08:00

PERDIDO BAY TRIBE TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL NATIVE HIV/AIDS AWARENESS EVENT AT FLORIDA CAPITOL MARCH 19^TH

Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart will present declaration during special ceremony

Perdido Bay Tribe, a local and state-recognized tribe of Muscogee Creek Indians, will participate in National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day at the Florida Capitol on March 19^th at 11:00 a.m. During a special ceremony, Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart will present a proclamation to the chief of the Florida Bureau of HIV/AIDS. National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a mobilization effort designed to inform Native communities about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Native populations (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians). It was established to encourage Native Americans to become educated, get tested and get involved in HIV prevention.

In Florida, the Bureau of HIV/AIDS will host the official state event for NNHAAD on March 19^TH at the Florida Capitol Building. The event will feature drums, dancers and attendance by delegations from many of Florida's 307 tribes, bands and clans. The state’s departmental leadership are expected to attend, as well as legislative representatives. The Shawl Circle Women's Dance will be done. The event is open to the public. During the event, Perdido Bay Tribe will showcase the Bearheart Native Paths Museum, a state-of-the-art, 42-foot traveling mobile museum housing artifacts, models and other pieces which display Native American culture. A photo of the museum can be found at http://www.perdidobaytribe.org/alcasalica_mobile_museum.htm.

The event will also include a Shawl Circle dance. The Shawl Circle is the bureau’s collaborative project with the Bureau of Breast and Cervical Cancer that brings together 10 American Indian women who have been nominated by their tribes, bands and/or clans, and provides them with the HIV and breast and cervical cancer education and information. Those 10 women (“community health advisors”) go back to their communities and teach another 10 American Indian women. As each woman completes the program, she is presented with a specially designed shawl. The Shawl Circle dance is another component of the project – a special dance where all the participants who have completed the project dance with their shawls.

History of HIV and AIDS in Native Communities

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Native communities have historically suffered higher rates of health disparities, including HIV/AIDS. For example, though American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) represent only 1.8 percent of the United States population, in 2007 they ranked as the third highest rate of new HIV infections (14.6 per 100,000 persons). It is always important to note that accurate data is often difficult to obtain for all Native populations. Reporting sources are varied due to sovereignty issues as well as misclassification, resulting in no reporting or at best, underreporting, therefore it’s likely that the actual numbers are higher than current estimations.

Perdido Bay Tribe is a local and state recognized tribe of Creek Indians and friends dedicated to the preservation of its Muscogee Creek heritage. Perdido Bay Tribe was founded in 1990 as an outgrowth of the life-long work of its principal chief, Bobby Johns Bearheart, to preserve Creek arts and culture in the Southeast. Perdido Bay Tribe members maintain an active outreach to honor this heritage through art, education and service in a variety of cultural, social and environmental programs. For more information on the Perdido Bay Tribe, visit www.perdidobaytribe.org.

Jelly Fish Bar

2010-03-10T09:43:09-08:00

Here is a friendly plug for the Jelly Fish Bar on Perdido Key.

JellyFish Bar - Perdido Key Sushi And Martini Bar - For more amazing video clips, click here

Perdido Key Beach Mouse

2010-03-09T10:03:53-08:00

Zoo Breeding Rare Beach Mice To Aid Ecosystem

Tuesday, March 09, 2010 4:53:38 AM

Reported by Margaret Kavanagh

MELBOURNE -- Brevard County Zoo officials say over the last three years, the zoo has spent about $50,000 to breed Perdido Key beach mice. The zoo started the project in 2007. Eighty of the mice call the zoo their home.

Experts say devastating storms, feral cats and land development are main threats why there are not too many mice in existence. They live in sand, and help with the growth of sea oats, which are plants that help protect the dunes. Zoo leaders say these beach mice are vital to dune development, which ultimately protects the beaches and the homes and businesses that surround them.

"When you take out the mice, you are taking out a species that spreads seed,” said Michelle Smurl, director of animal programs. “And the sea oats are really important not just for the beach mice, but for other species as well. So then, you are affecting the plant community and its all tied together."

The zoo will release the mice into the western part of Florida Panhandle at the end of March.

This project is kept in a special trail behind the zoo, but officials said the public is allowed to get a look at them.

Check out the video here

Blues Angels HD

2010-03-08T13:36:30-08:00

With the spring comes the return of the Blues to Pensacola.
Here is something to get you ready for the new season, an HD version of the Van Halen backed clip

The performance schedule is here (Blue Angels Official Web Site) but don't forget they practice most weeks Tues/Wed at the Naval Aviation Museum just minutes from Perdido Key during the season.

"California Don" Makes Headines

2010-03-08T05:41:33-08:00

As a member of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church I have known Don Huerta for some time and of course have seen him on his walks across the Pedido area for years. Don made the front page today in the Pensacola News Journal. Brian Kelly wrote the article.

Auctioneer is himself one of a kind

State's only blind auctioneer to preside over charity fundraiser

If you get your daily java fix at Mojo's Coffee Shop at the foot of the Theo Baars Bridge in Perdido, then you've probably exchanged small talk with Donald Huerta.

Or maybe you've seen him walking scenic Innerarity Point Road, negotiating his way with his red and white walking stick, moving steadily in the shadow of the live oak trees.

Huerta, 59, who lives on Gulf Beach Highway, is known to Perdido Key locals as "California Don."

A licensed auctioneer, he's founder of his own company, California Don Auctioneers. He's the only legally blind, fully accredited working auctioneer in the state of Florida.

He has auctioned farm equipment, boats, antiques and liquidations. Now, he is donating his auctioning skills for fundraisers in and around the Pensacola area.

On Saturday, he will stand behind the podium with gavel in hand for the Spring Fling Auction at the Perdido Bay Community Center, which benefits the center's youth programs.

Huerta, who lost his sight in 1984 after years of diminishing vision, blames his exposure to chemicals in the Vietnam War.

He spoke with the News Journal about his occupation and the challenges and rewards of being the only blind auctioneer in Florida.

See the entire article and Q and A with Don here: http://www.pnj.com/article/20100308/NEWS01/3080310

Adventures Around Perdido Key- Kids' Style

2010-03-04T14:30:39-08:00

Novel Published by Local Author Fred Garth

The latest effort by Fred Garth was recently published to rave reviews. The novel "A Good Day to Live" is about three 12-year-old boys growing up on the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast in the 1960s. It’s fiction according to Fred but somewhat autobiographical.

Here is what else Fred had to say:

Why did you write this book?
I wanted to share some of the great stories of the Perdido area when I was a kid. That was back when Ono Island was nothing but sand dunes and we considered Perdido Key as the middle of nowhere. Times have changed but this is still a great place to live.

So the book is set in the 1960s?
The 1950s and ‘60s. We had a little cabin on Perdido Bay with no telephone or TV. We didn’t get a newspaper. We had no idea what was going on in the world. We were only concerned about catching enough fish, shrimp, and crabs to feed all my siblings and cousins. We picked vegetables from local farms. It sounds simple but we were going full tilt all the time.

No TV? How did you survive?
We played cards, charades, did plays, hide and go seek, all the fun stuff kids did back then. My uncle brought an old black and white TV down from Montgomery so we could watch the moon landing in 1969. I don’t think it ever got turned on again after that.

What’s next?
I’m working on the sequel to this book. The main characters are a few years older and have turned 16 so they’re driving and exploring beyond their home turf. That’s why I’m calling it Expanded Horizons because they’re literally able to travel further and they’re also growing personally – dating girls, trying beer, being teenagers. It’s a little darker than the first book but still true to the era and the area.

Fred is deeply involved in the Perdido area with a strong commitment to the Chamber of Commerce as Chairman of the Board, and the Perdido Bay Youth Sports Assoc. amongst other things.

Here is a mini-bio from his web site where you can learn more and purchase the book.

The Author

During his 25-year career in journalism, Fred D. Garth has worked for media giants Gannett Inc., the New York Times, and National Geographic.

Starting out as a sport’s writer for the Times-Daily newspaper in Florence, Alabama, Garth later landed a position as editor for Scuba Times magazine and spent the next fifteen years writing about the ocean environment. Garth went on to serve in editorial and publishing roles for Gannett Inc., the world’s largest newspaper publisher. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for Guy Harvey Magazine.

In 2005 Fred published his first novel, The Cure, and followed that with Press Trip. Perdido I: A Good Day to Live is his third novel. He lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters and is currently working on his fourth book, Perdido II: Expanded Horizons.