Archive for the 'Local Stories' Category
Upside2Downs
March 3rd, 2010 Categories: Community, Local Stories
With this article, we’re going to get away from Pensacola Real Estate and look at a great organization that is doing a lot of good in our Pensacola community. I am truly grateful to the Gilliards for all they do to make life better for those beautiful souls that are facing the challenges of Down syndrome. So go see a hockey game and support a good cause. And if you are not into hockey, just be aware of these beautiful people in our community who are working so hard to make the world a better place and lend them your support if you so desire.
The Pensacola Ice Flyers are partnering with Pensacola’s Upside2Downs to raise awareness and funds for Down syndrome. Upside2Downs and their supporters are selling tickets to the March 25 Ice Flyers game with part of the proceeds going directly to families affected by Down syndrome. The goal is to sell 2,000 tickets, thereby raising $10,000 for families in need.
Fred Gilliard, the director of Upside2Downs, knows that the money will directly change peoples lives. “We want to provide for families in the community that are struggling with a child that has Down syndrome. The money we raise will go directly to those families who are really in need. Normally when you see a child, you think that they are happy, they are smiling; and they are. But at the same time there are medical conditions you have to deal with. There are therapies you have to deal with. There’s the cost of transportation to go from hospital to hospital.”
The community is already offering support. Linda Sonshine Moorer, the Midday Diva on Magic 106.1 is spreading the word. I’m asking everybody to help out. I’ve got a link to the program on our website. If we come together we can make a difference.
Tony Sikes, a DJ on Cat Country 98.7, is equally optimistic. When you look at what Upside2Downs and the Ice Flyers are trying to do for these people in need, its a great thing. Every ticket makes a difference, and it directly benefits families in need.
Upside2Downs is an organization that works to include people with Down syndrome into everyday American life. By equipping families with knowledge and support, Upside2Downs helps children with Down syndrome experience the same opportunities as other children their age.
To purchase tickets please contact:
Fred/Ailyne Gilliard
phone: 850-293-1367
email: upside2downs@gmail.com
Game Date: March 25, 2010
Time: 7:05 P.M.
Where: Pensacola Civic Center
Ticket Prices: $14 corner seats, $16 center ice
Teams: Pensacola Ice Flyers vs Lousiana Ice Gators
UPside2Downs is putting a twist on the dreary imaginations put on our children and adults that have Down Syndrome. We are an organization that is going to aid and include those with Down Syndrome into society, and not as second class citizens. We are equipping our families with the knowledge to know how to allow their children to have every opportunity that everyone else has. When you involve the community and local agencies, we belive that acceptance and inclusion will blend into one. Believe me, there is an UPside to Down Syndrome.
Related Articles On Pensacola Real Estate News:
UWF Student Shares Her Love With Children In Need
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Will the Cold Pensacola Weather Ever End?
February 28th, 2010 Categories: Local Stories, Pensacola Pictures
Every day I have been hearing people in Pensacola complain about how cold it is, and that we are not getting much of a break from this cold weather. Whenever we have a beautiful day with warmer temperatures, I get my hopes up that Spring is finally here. Then it inevitably gets cold again that very night.
It has been a very unusual winter for Pensacola. The Pensacola Real Estate Market has also been very cold in January 2010. Read the Pensacola Real Estate News January Market report for the numbers. It’s not just Pensacola. Real estate sales around the country have seen very low numbers for the beginning of 2010. When you get down about the cold weather, and think it will never end, remember how cold it was in early January in Pensacola. Here are some pictures to jog your memory. It was COLD!!!!
Frozen Fountain at Seville Square in Downtown Pensacola. More beautiful Frozen Pensacola Fountain Pictures
Animal cruelty? Left out in the cold. I hope PETA doesn’t find out about this.
Sitting out on these lawn chairs would add literal meaning to the term “freezing your butt off”.
Just park your cab next to a lawn sprinkler and get a day off work. Even with all that cold weather, there was no snow in January. However, just a month later, south Alabama was blessed with a day of the white stuff. I took a trip up to Brewton Alabama to experience the fun. Click on The Gulf Coast Snow Storm of 2010 for more pictures.
Can you spot 3 snowmen in this one picture? They were snow-crazy in Brewton Alabama this year.
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Gulf Breeze Burning?
February 20th, 2010 Categories: Local Stories, Pensacola Pictures
The picture shows the smoke from a prescribed burn at the Naval Live Oaks in Gulf Breeze Florida. This picture was taken from the 3-Mile bridge over Pensacola Bay. The buildings that you see to the right of the smoke are the Portofino Condos on Pensacola Beach.
Naval Live Oaks is bordered on the east side by Bayshore Road. Homes on this road and in the neighboring area near the bayfront run from the $200K range up into the million dollar range, according to real estate data from the Pensacola MLS. It just depends where the home is, and of course if it is a Gulf Breeze waterfront home. I would consider that fire too close for comfort if I were a resident of that area.
While the news said that it was a controlled burn, I did see a fire chief with lights flashing flying over the bridge from Pensacola to Gulf Breeze, followed about 2 minutes later by a fire engine. My perception of a controlled burn would be that everyone was in place prior to the burn and prepared for any flare ups. Having fire engines called in after the burn was in full blaze makes me wonder. I guess tomorrow’s news will tell if anything went wrong. More prescribed burns are scheduled in March. [SEE UPDATE AT END OF POST].
According to Gulf Islands National Seashore Acting Superintendent Nina Kelson “The purpose of the upcoming prescribed burns is to restore habitat and reduce hazardous fuel levels which will serve to better protect the Park and local community in case of a wild fire”. I’m sure the nice little creatures affected by this fire are very grateful for having their habitats restored.
One thing I love about blogging on Pensacola real estate (and Gulf Breeze real estate for that matter) is that I end up writing about the totally unexpected. I just happened to be driving across the bridge when I saw this. I snapped some pictures and a story emerged. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Breaking update: Apparently, just before 3:00 PM, a home in Paradise Bay subdivision in Gulf Breeze caught on fire. Crews from Escambia County were called in. Apparently these were the trucks I saw heading for Gulf Breeze from Pensacola. My love goes out to the family of the burned home. Thankfully, they were not harmed.
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The Gulf Coast Snow Storm Of 2010
February 14th, 2010 Categories: Local Stories, Pensacola Pictures
Friday February 12th was an exciting day on the Gulf Coast, or at least for the more northern parts. The Pensacola weather forecast called for snow, with accumulations of 1-3 inches predicted. This meant no one was out looking for Pensacola Real Estate, so it was a great day to play. There were some reports of snow in Ensley, but nothing stuck to the ground that I am aware of. Escambia County schools were closed, as were some government facilities. Expectations were high for snow in Pensacola, but alas, all we really saw in was cold rain, with a few ice pellets that melted upon ground contact. It was a stark contrast to the beautiful weather that ended the year for Pensacola.
I’m always up for an adventure, and Friday was no exception. I have not seen snow in the Pensacola area since I was a child so many years ago. I was not going to miss this opportunity. After seeing news reports of snow in lower Alabama, I packed up the family and headed north.
We traveled up U.S. 29 towards Century Florida and experienced nothing but rain for most of the drive. Then as we neared Century, the rain suddenly turned to snow. I started to get excited, but still no accumulations could be seen. I saw automobiles headed south on U.S. 29 that were covered in snow. One even had a partial snow man built on the hood. My hopes rose.
I continued on my northward track as quickly as I could, all the time hearing that loving voice coming from the back of the van reminding me that I was going too fast for the icy roads. I reported back that the dashboard thermometer was reading 34 degrees, so there was no chance of ice on the road. Apparently I was not convincing enough, as this exchange continued for much of the trip.
Once we got into Century and crossed the border into Flomaton, Alabama, the snow was accumulating mostly on rooftops, but not much, if any, on the ground. I was starting to worry that I should have gotten an earlier start, and would get nothing but slush for all my troubles. But I had seen a news report that showed Brewton, Alabama with lots of snow on the ground. So I pushed on. The further north we got, the more snow accumlation we saw.
At last we arrived in the small town of Brewton Alabama. I had no idea where I would go to find a place for playing in the snow. Luckily, over to the left of the main road I saw a large beautiful city park, covered in snow and filled with people enjoying a Alabama winter wonderland. We actually ended up at another park up the road because of traffic, but that worked out well. After playing there for a while, we circled back to the big park. Here are some pictures.
Above, some clever Brewtonians built a snow man held hostage in front of a cannon. Note the arms held high and the cannon snow ball ready to fire. But it wasn’t the cannon that spelled this fellow’s doom. The Alabama temperatures were just getting too high to keep him alive through the night.
I made friends with this guy after jabbing an organic carrot into his face. No, I did not build him, only added some decoration. Whatever creature ended up eating my carrot did not ingest any pesticides.
Above is a picture of this beautiful Alabama river which runs along the park in Brewton Alabama. What a rarity to see a river with snow-covered banks in this part of the country.
All in all, a great day!
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Restaurant Chains Looking To Expand Into The Mobile Alabama Area
September 7th, 2008 Categories: Local Stories
Mobile Alabama is getting a lot of attention these days.
I have been trying to keep up with the ever-changing saga of the U.S. Air Force tanker contract war between Boeing and Northrop Grumman. If you haven’t heard, Boeing protested the awarding of the contract to Northrop Grumman
See Pensacola Real Estate News article Boeing Wins Air Force Tanker Award Protest
Next, the Pentagon decided the Air Force could not competently handle the bidding and award process and took it upon themselves to handle the rebid process. The Pentagon recently issued a revised set of criteria for the award. These criteria appear to favor the Northrop Grumman plane (Good for Mobile), and thus Boeing is crying foul on these criteria and trying to push the bidding process into the next presidential administration.
The Pentagon, however, has insisted that the contract will be awarded by the end of the year.
Note that the real losers in this game are our men and women in uniform who desperately need these new airplanes. This seems to be lost on the companies, and on Congress.
Either way, this contract dispute has attracted a lot of attention for Mobile Alabama. Real estate is in high demand.
See Pensacola Real Estate News article Mobile Alabama Needs Real Estate
Now, according to the Alabama Press Register, many restaurant chains are looking into expanding their businesses into Mobile.
Some of the names mentioned were Dunkin, Einstein Bros Bagels, Quiznos, Baskin-Robbins, Jimmy John’s sandwiches, Roly Poly, Zoe’s Kitchen and Cheeburger Cheeburger. In the Alabama Press article they state “Many fast-casual restaurateurs feel Mobile is the perfect fit, thanks in large part to the economic growth expected in the near future.”
James Franks, national director of franchising for Baskin-Robbins, has said the company likes the demographics in Mobile and Baldwin counties, calling the area home to plenty of working professionals and families. “It’s very simple — the people are there, and we don’t just appeal to one demographic. In a tight economy, consumers like a quality product that doesn’t break the bank.”
“Even if (the tanker assembly plant) doesn’t come to Mobile, the area is still continuing to grow and becoming a major force within our region,” said George Waldron, who has directed the opening of 32 Quiznos in the four-state Gulf Coast area in the past 11-plus years.
While Pensacola is not the target for any major industries or contracts, we can at least hope for some spillover from Mobile’s economic growth into our area. It is too bad that our local leaders cannot seem to get along well enough to do anything productive for our area.
See Pensacola Real Estate News article about Mobile’s super economic growth: The Real News Is Next Door In Mobile .
Click on Pensacola Real Estate News for a list of articles indexed by category.
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Harbour Pointe Condo Auction Results From Pensacola Real Estate News
August 20th, 2008 Categories: Local Stories, Pensacola Real Estate News
On Saturday August 16th, a Pensacola Condo auction was held for Harbour Pointe Condos. The results of the auction are shown in the table below. I apologize for the size of the text in the table. It can be hard to fit that much data in my limited blog space.
I believe it is fair to say that the winning condo bidders ended up with some very good deals. Just look at the sold prices compared to the original asking prices.
Here were the terms of the auction:
Terms: Penthouse Units 2, 3, 4 & 5 — 10% down with $25,000 per condo being in personal check, business check or certified funds; Floor Plan A (3 Bedrooms & 3 Baths) Units 101, 201, 210 & 510 — 10% down with $15,000 per condo being in personal check, business check or certified funds; Floor Plan B (2 Bedrooms & 2 Baths) Units 102, 107, 109, 202, 206, 207, 209, 302, 304, 306 (Model) 307, 309, 409, 506, 507 & 509 — 10% down with $10,000 per condo being in personal check, business check or certified funds; Floor Plan C (2 Bedrooms & 2 Baths) Units 108 & 208 — 10% down with $5,000 being in personal check, business check or certified funds. Closing in 30 days.
Here is the description provided by the auction company:
Property Description
Views are nothing less than breathtaking at Harbour Pointe, a new luxury condominium community gracing the sugary shores of Big Lagoon Bay, a tiny coastal paradise near Pensacola, Florida. Positioned to capitalize on the natural beauty of pristine surroundings, the two, three and four-bedroom residences are draped in vistas of the bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Island National Seashore.
Harbour Pointe amenities bring the sparkling waters of the gulf and lagoon directly to the door of this island paradise, which features deeded boat slips and a boardwalk to the beach. Other fine appointments include temperature-controlled garages, storage units, swimming pool, hot tub, cabana, state-of-the-art fitness center, lobby and extensive tropical landscaping. Each condominium displays attention to details with crown molding, tiled floors and upscale appliances.
Close proximity to Big Lagoon State Park makes Harbour Pointe a recreational haven with vast opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, crabbing, hiking and simply viewing the abundance of wildlife which flock to this area. Just down the road from Orange Beach, Alabama, Harbour Pointe is convenient to championship golf courses, greyhound racing, a number of old forts and a wide selection of fine restaurants and unique shops.
Property Highlights
- 2, 3 & 4-Bedroom Condos Fronting on Big Lagoon Tiled Entry
- Living Room with Glass Doors Opening to Balcony Overlooking Big Lagoon, Gulf Island National Seashore & Gulf of Mexico
- Upscale Kitchens with Solid Surface Countertops, Washer/Dryer Connections, Refrigerator/Freezer/Icemaker, Built-in Microwave & Kitchen Disposal
- Ceiling Fans
- Tiled Floors
- Community Amenities, Including Large Outdoor Swimming Pool, Cabana, Hot Tub, Fitness Center, Lobby, Computer Room, Sandy Beaches, Extensive Tropical Landscaping, Boat Slips & Temperature-Controlled Garages & Storage Units
This information is provided to show readers the deals that can be found in the Pensacola real estate market. Congrats to the winning bidders at the Harbour Pointe auction. Enjoy the beautiful views.
I’d like to thank Susan Carleton, broker of Pointe South Realty for sending me the table of values.
How do these condo prices compare with other condos sold recently in Pensacola? Look for that post to come soon.
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Pensacola Real Estate News – Don’t Tread On Me
August 18th, 2008 Categories: Local Stories
While I tend to focus mostly on Pensacola Real Estate in my blog, there is a lot to see and experience in Pensacola Florida. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to get out there and enjoy Pensacola as much as I’d like to. So I am delighted to have a guest blogger write articles from time to time to share with my readers. Bill Stockland is a dear friend and a great writer/photographer, so I’m honored to have him share his experiences and photos from the Pensacola area.
DON’T TREAD ON ME
By Bill Stockland
If you’ve lived in the South for long, you’ve probably seen one. Black and white—and very fast, they’re a blur across the ground.
It’s the Southern Black Racer. This snake is common in places like Escambia County and it is totally nonvenomous. The black racer is a daytime hunter and is thus more likely to be seen than other species. They can be found in wooded areas and on suburban lawns.
So if you are in the real estate market, and searching for homes in newer subdivisions, or in subdivisions near wooded areas, it is likely you will encounter a black racer. They can also be spotted occasionally on Pensacola Beach, especially in the Fort Pickens area, and on Perdido Key.
This black racer was photographed near the Scenic Hills golf course in North Northwest Pensacola.
Rodents, amphibians and insects make up the brunt of their prey. They, in turn, are hunted by hawks. Their great speed (they’re very difficult to catch, don’t even bother) is nullified by the swiftness and surprise of swooping birds of prey. Automobiles and frightened homeowners also take a toll on Black Racer numbers.
Don’t be alarmed if you see one. They’ll try to escape when startled although when cornered, they’ve been known to fight. It’s a sign of ecological health to see them in a yard. They are an important part of our natural balance.
Don’t confuse them with the venomous Cottonmouth (or Water Moccasin). That creature is believed to be much more rare. It has a much thicker body, flattened head and it has white coloring inside the mouth rather than on the chin and neck.
The Southern Black Racer is an important part of our natural environment and they can provide a quick lesson about nature for the kids.
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The Easy Way To See The Pensacola Blue Angels
August 8th, 2008 Categories: Local Stories
Pensacola Florida is the home of the Blue Angels. Read on to find out the easiest way to see a Blue Angel’s performance!
These amazing aeronautical acrobats have performed countless times in Pensacola Florida, and all over the country. Crowds of thousands are always in attendance for the local air shows, many of which are held at Pensacola Beach. When a Pensacola Beach show happens, boat launches from Escambia Bay to Navy Point to Gulf Breeze are packed as boaters head out to claim space in Santa Rosa sound.
Driving? Boating? Rise and shine bright and early.
You need to get going early to prepare for a day of fun in the heat and traffic.
It is best to arrive on Pensacola Beach at least by 8:00 AM to have any chance of getting a decent parking space. After that, you are taking your chances. I have seen traffic backed up from Pensacola Beach into Gulf Breeze, and even across the 3-mile bridge into downtown Pensacola.
Are you ready for a great day?
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Heat
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Crowds
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Sunburn
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Early Morning Drinkers (They get so much worse in the afternoon heat)
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Traffic (and more traffic going home when you finally get off the beach between 3-6 PM.)
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If you take the kids, the fun increases exponentially
I hate to have such a downer view on the whole experience, but maybe I’m just getting too old for all that fun. At the Pensacola Beach Blue Angels show in 2004, over 100 people were treated for heat exhaustion.
This year, storms came through and wreaked havoc on the beach, sending several people to the hospital after being shocked by lightning. The show was cancelled and rescheduled for the next day. Many people were arrested up and down the beach for fighting. That demon alcohol and Mr. Sunshine don’t mix very well. And if you wanted to get in the water to cool off, you could expect a few jellyfish stings.
But it can be so much easier!
For those in Pensacola who don’t know, or have just forgotten, seeing a Blue Angels performance can be much easier than attending an official show. If you are coming for a Pensacola vacation, what better way to spend a morning.
The Blue Angels practice regularly at Sherman Field on Pensacola Naval Air Station.
This is the air field just behind the Naval Aviation Museum. I would recommend getting to the Naval Air Station gate by around 7:45 AM. You can then get to the museum and park by 8:00 and walk out to the airfield and get ready for the show.
They have bleachers for seating, or you can bring lawn chairs. They also have guides along the bleachers who tell you about each manuever, and you can ask questions throughout the Blue Angels’ performance.
Then when the show is over, a quick exit from the parking lot gets you on your way home, unless of course you want to stay and meet the pilots and get an autograph. They only do that on certain days, so check the schedule at the official Blue Angels website.
Click on Pensacola Real Estate News for a list of articles indexed by category.
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Pensacola Beach Water Quality Scores A Great Rating
August 2nd, 2008 Categories: Local Stories, Pensacola Beach
The Natural Resources Defense Council issued its 18th annual report on beach water quality, “Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches.”
Overall, our nation’s beaches are not doing well, but the main swimming area of Pensacola Beach known as Casino Beach received a 3-star rating. This designates it as one of the cleanest beaches in the nation, as far as pollution and bacterial content in the water.
In the photo below, you can see the crystal clear beautiful waters of Pensacola Beach, looking west from the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier.
While a 5-star rating is possible, 5-star ratings are only given to beaches where the water is tested more than once per week. Casino Beach is tested weekly. And every test showed that the water on Pensacola Beach met EPA standards.
The full report can be viewed in PDF format at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Fortunately, there is no stormwater runoff, or sewage runoff into the waters of Pensacola Beach. Rain water generally just puddles on the beach and soaks in, or is drained from the roads into Santa Rosa Sound. This keeps the Gulf side of Pensacola Beach nice and clean.
However, Quietwater Beach wasn’t as clean as Casino Beach. There were nine weeks in 2007 when the water quality was so poor that beach advisories had to be issued.
This is unfortunate, especially for families. Many parents like to take their young children to Quietwater Beach to avoid the dangerous wave action of the gulf, hence the name Quietwater. You also see a lot more boats and jet skis around Quietwater Beach.
When comparing Pensacola to other areas of the country, we are doing quite well. The beaches on the California coast can be scary at times. I remember reading a report from local professional surfer Sterling Spencer that he was sick for days from surfing in the waters of California. We are truly blessed to have such beautiful, clean and uncrowded beaches.
Now if we could just get ECUA to get our water quality improved.
Related Articles On Pensacola Real Estate News:
Could Pensacola Beach Be Facing A Tourism Disaster?
The Crimson Tide Rolls Onto Pensacola Beach
Many thanks to the Pensacola Beach Blogger for bringing this story to my attention (along with many other great local stories)
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Manatee on Pensacola Beach?
July 15th, 2008 Categories: Local Stories, Pensacola Beach
That’s what it looks like in the photos.
Apparently before the Blue Angels performed at Casino Beach, a very special event was taking place down on the east end of Pensacola Beach.
Check out the pictures taken by the Barrier Island Girl on her blog; Manatee Pictures
I don’t think I would have had the patience to take pictures. I would have been running for the water just to see how close I could get.
Click on Pensacola Real Estate News for a list of articles indexed by category.
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