Pelican Real Estate News Archives

The United Service Organization (USO) has opened the “Freedom Lounge” in the Northwest Florida Regional Airport.  This 1,000 square foot facility offers Military personnel and family members welcome packets, emergency assistance with lodging, transportation, meals and communication services.   Special features include: computer stations, library services, TVs and a friendly play area for the kids.  The Lounge is staffed by USO volunteers.  Col. Bruce McClintock, Commander of the 96th Air Base Wing at Eglin Air Force Base boasts   “ This is the classiest USO facility I’ve ever seen!  This community does the best job of caring for past, present and future warriors – we are grateful for all that you do”

HarborWalk Village, located on Destin Harbor, will honor a local hero every  Thursday at 7:00 p.m. throughout the summer.  Each week the celebration will highlight the efforts of people who go above and beyond to make their community better.  Local entertainment and a WWII replica flyover begin at 7:20 p.m. with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.  Join the free family fun including live entertainment and crafts for the kids starting at 6:30 each week.     

The Navarre Beach restoration project, which was completed in November 2006, has been named as one of the four best completed restoration projects in the country by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.  The sand quality, size of the project and collective efforts to gain state funding were sited as winning characteristics for the project.  Approximately 3 million cubic yards of sand were placed on 3.7 miles of beach during this project.  In order to keep the native sugary white sand covering the beaches, sand was dredged from a borrow site in the Gulf about 4 miles offshore.  Locals and visitors agree that the $18.2 million dollar project was well worth the investment.  Congratulations to all who were involved in this award winning project!

Calling all bookworms!  The much anticipated 10,000 square foot state of the art public library has opened in Panama City Beach for your reading pleasure.  Centrally located at 12500 Hutchinson Blvd., this library has it all…old books, new books, audio, video, DVDs, 24 internet stations,a 15 seat computer lab as well as a vast array of special services.  Definitely a great way to get out of the heat this summer.  Summer programs for the kids start next Tuesday 6/15/10 and will include: Make a Splash for K-5th graders offered on Wednesdays 2-3pm and Make Waves for the older set 6th – 12th graders held from 2-4 pm on Tuesdays.  For additional information call 850-233-5055 or stop by and take a look…you just might want to stay around for a while!  http://www.nwrls.lib.fl.us/Locations/PCB.htm

It is time once again to line the streets of Fort Walton Beach and become pirates ( if only for the weekend)!     The Festival events start Thursday night at 4 p.m. with a Pirate Walk in the downtown area (trick-or-treating -pirate style) followed by a family friendly block party and the Billy Bowlegs Pub Crawl.  Festival activities officially kick off on Friday June 4th at 3 p.m. at  The Fort Walton Landing.  Events will be held throughout the weekend including the skirmish between Capt. Billy and the Mayor, live music, local artists, delicious food, children’s activities, Children’s Pirate Parade and nightly fireworks.  Monday night’s  Torchlight Parade will close out the Festival.  Arrr! For more information visit www.fwbchamber.org/bowlegs  

After five long years, Navarre Beach will again enjoy a pier!   Grand opening festivities are planned for Saturday June 5th.  The previous pier had been destroyedby hurricanes Ivan and Dennis.  Public input has been vital in this project and the local residents are thrilled about their new pier.  The 1,545 ft pier is the longest pier in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.  Special features include a low wattage, turtle friendly lighting system, octagonal end design with 3,800 square feet of surface area, over 800 breakaway wood panels, 7 potable water spigots, a deck height of 30 feet above water, an overall accessible surface area of over 32,000 square feet, and 16 handicap accessible railing locations.    Come down for a walk, to fish or just to celebrate and enjoy this beautiful addition to Navarre Beach.  Summer hours are 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. seven days a week.

This year marks the 25th Annual Gate to Gate Memorial Day 4.4 mile run/walk on Eglin Air Force Base.  Events start at 7:30 am Monday May 31st and are open to the public.  There will be a staggered start at the Child Development Center on Eglin AFB.  Free kids run, after party & awards presentation to follow.   Register online: www.active.com – Online registration closes 8 am, May 28th.  Come and celebrate Eglin’s 75th Anniversary!

It is official!  Our Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is open for business.  Hundreds of visitors, state officials and dignitaries were on site to watch the first take off and landing Saturday.   Southwest will offer daily flights to and from Nashville, Baltimore, Houston and Orlando.  Delta will be flying daily to and from Atlanta and Memphis.  For additional information on the new airport, visit  http://www.iflybeaches.com.