My Perdido

Chili Cook Off

2011-10-27T04:02:00-07:00

Peridido Bay UMC Community Center Site for Chili Lovers

When :November 5, 2011 11 am - 2 pm

Where:Perdido Bay Community Center on Innerarity Point Rd

What: All you can eat - $10.00!

The Perdido Bay UMC youth will host the event with big screen TVs set up for the games of the day and a wide variety of dishes for the chili gourmets of the area. If you are a chef of reknown bring a pot of your favorite chili (enough to serve 12). The judges will taste and award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, plus there is a "People's Choice" award. If you would like to enter sign up sheets for entering the contest are located in both buildings on the Perdido Bay UMC campus, or respond to this email and we will put your name on the list.

Pre-Sale tickets will be available Wednesday nights at the Community Center . Come on out... eat some chili & watch the game!!

Veterans' Day Tribute Weekend

2011-10-21T09:18:32-07:00

Pete King

Oktoberfest Perdido Key Style

2011-09-29T14:56:17-07:00

Second Annual Affair is this Weekend

Thunder on the Gulf

2011-09-26T07:20:41-07:00

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"

2011-09-20T12:49:55-07:00

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.

Perdido Key Oktoberfest

2011-09-19T08:07:07-07:00

The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for our 2nd Annual Perdido Key Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 1st. This year's festival will be held at the Oyster Bar here in Perdido Key, 13700 River Rd.

The festivities will start at 2pm and last till 6pm.

The festival will feature German food, beer sampling, and a Live Oompah Band! This year enjoy our first ever Beer Garden – if you're not interested in sampling this is the way to go. There will be prizes given away for the “Best Dressed” Oktobe rfest costume.

“Marine One” Presidential Helicopter

2011-09-16T13:11:38-07:00

Dedication at the National Naval Aviation Museum

“Marine One”, a VH-3A Sea King helicopter that flew in the HMX-1 Executive Flight Detachment transporting the President of the United States, was recently placed on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The public is invited to attend the dedication of “Marine One” at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 22 inside the Museum’s new Hangar Bay One.

With its distinctive green and white paint scheme, the latter color on top of the aircraft applied originally to early model helicopters to make the occupants cooler in the days before air-conditioned compartments, the helicopters that fly as “Marine One” are among the most famous aircraft in the entire world.

Restored inside and out by Sabreliner Corporation, the museum’s VH-3A looks like it could have just landed on the South Lawn of the White House, its interior including seats embroidered with the familiar seal of the President of the United States. When first delivered, however, the museum’s aircraft was painted in U.S. Army markings with both Army and Marine Corps crews sharing the duty of transporting the Commander-in-Chief. In 1966, the latter service formed an Executive Flight Detachment within the Marines’ first helicopter squadron, HMX-1, at Quantico, Virginia. The museum’s VH-3A was assigned to the squadron that same year, but not until January 1972 did it join the Executive Flight Detachment, where it operated until 1975. This coincided with the service of Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Gerald R. Ford, a period including such momentous events as Watergate, cease-fire in Vietnam, and the last missions to the moon.

After it left service transporting the President of the United States, the museum’s aircraft continued service as a VIP transport, its last flights occurring in Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 2 in 2003.

Recycling company promises jobs, $5 million economic jolt

2011-09-02T08:09:30-07:00

Stainless steel scrap recycler Cronimet Corp. plans to locate a facility at the Pensacola Shipyard, creating 15 manufacturing and administrative jobs over the next two to three years.

Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Hizer and chamber Chairman Collier Merrill made the announcement on Thursday.

Cronimet, based in Rochester, Pa., will locate at 800 Myrick Street, off Navy Boulevard and fronting Bayou Chico. The company has 10 other processing facilities. This is the first in Florida.

Founded in 1997, the company recovers and reprocesses stainless steel and high-grade alloys for manufacturers through the U.S. and abroad.

Hizer said most of the company's production work is outdoors, but it plans to construct a 1,300-square-foot modular office. It plans to begin work here in November.

The landing of Cronimet a "is another step in reaching the goals of our Vision 2015 initiative," said Lewis Bear, the chamber's vice chair for economic development.

The Vision 2015 campaign raised more than $8 million from private and public sector donors, pledged over a five-year period. The goal is to create 3,000 jobs paying in excess of $38,000 a year over the next five years.

Hizer said the Cronimet jobs pay "substantially more" than that $38,000 though he wasn't at liberty to say how much. He anticipates the company's capital investment and new jobs to create a $5 million local impact over the next five years.

"The chamber showed its commitment to job creation through its initial discussion with us and the continued recruitment of Cronimet after our initial discussion," said Cronimet CEO and President Frank Santoro. "As a result of these discussions, we felt that the Pensacola area would be a great long-term strategic fit for the company."

Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward said Cronimet joins the growing ranks of companies who see Pensacola as a good place to do business.

"From high-tech companies, to defense contractors to now, a high-end stainless steel and aerospace metals recycler, Pensacola is quickly becoming the place to be for business," he said.

In addition to Rochester, other facilities are located in Aliquippa, Pa.; Chicago; Decatur, Ala.; Houston; Jeffersonville, Ind.; Linden, N.J.; Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles; and Montclair, Calif.

Cronimet USA Corporation

-Article Courtesy of Carlton Proctor

Grant for U.S. Fish and Wildlife

2011-08-25T08:53:39-07:00

Perdido Key on Grant List

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today announced more than $53 million in grants to 17 states to support conservation planning and acquisition of vital habitat for threatened and endangered fish, wildlife, and plants.

The grants, awarded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF), will benefit numerous imperiled species ranging from the Peninsular bighorn sheep to the Karner blue butterfly.

“Our solid partnerships with states are key to Interior’s continued success in preventing the extinction of hundreds of threatened and endangered species, and recovering species, such as the bald eagle, brown pelican, and American alligator,” Secretary Salazar said. “These grant awards will support important state efforts to build and strengthen conservation partnerships, and to conserve and protect vital habitat for threatened and endangered animals and plants.”

Authorized by Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act, the competitive grants enable states to work with private landowners, conservation groups, and other agencies to initiate cost-effective conservation planning efforts and acquire and protect habitat to support the conservation of threatened and endangered species.

“Ensuring the survival of imperiled species depends on long-term partnerships and voluntary landowner participation,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “The vital funding provided by these grants empowers landowners and communities to safeguard habitat for threatened and endangered species and foster conservation stewardship efforts for future generations.”

This year, the CESCF will provide approximately $28.6 million through the Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants Program, $10.7 million through the Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Grants Program, and $14 million through the Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Program. The three programs were established to help advance creative partnerships for imperiled species conservation recovery.

The Perdido Key Grant is $2,967,022 for acquisition of Perdido Key coastal tract in Escambia County. This grant will enable the acquisition of up to 20 acres of Gulf-front habitat used by the Perdido Key beach mouse, ensuring its populations can remain connected. The Perdido Key beach mouse exists only on Perdido Key and faces increasing impacts from coastal development.A complete list of the 2011 grant awards under these programs (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 15.615) is available online at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/grants/index.html.

Perdido Key Sanitation

2011-08-24T05:13:45-07:00

Not a Sexy Headline but Important Info For the Key

From the PNJ:

A sewer expansion project is set to start next month for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority customers along Perdido Key Drive.

The project, with a budget of $1.4 million, will allow ECUA to provide gravity wastewater service to 50 additional properties on Perdido Key, including several condominiums.

The project encompasses about 7,200 feet of gravity sewer, beginning at the eastern boundary of Perdido Key State Park, eastward on Perdido Key Drive to the Ocean Breeze East Condominiums.

The planned sewer line will allow for the elimination of three existing ECUA sewer lift stations, and five privately maintained lift stations, which the ECUA says will mean future savings in operating and maintenance costs.

The project is being funded out of the ECUA’s 2011 capital improvement program budget.

The Perdido Key Drive sewer expansion project was delayed to avoid beginning construction until after Labor Day.

The ECUA’s contractor is required in its contract to complete the project within 180 days, which is expected to allow the work to be substantially complete by the 2012 Spring Break season.