My Perdido

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

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.

2010-03-04T05:50:10-08:00

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

Perdido, Gambling and Assisted Living

2010-03-03T07:57:39-08:00

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

2010-03-02T07:32:08-08:00

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

2010-03-01T08:52:57-08:00

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.

2010-03-01T04:52:25-08:00

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??

2010-02-28T05:05:37-08:00

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."