There was a lot going on over the last week in Destin. First, it was Sunshine Cindy’s birthday this past week. She was 39 (again!). Her daughter Tiffany came into town Thursday from Atlanta to help celebrate. The three of us hit the ground running Thursday afternoon and didn’t stop until late Sunday. Thursday night Julie drove us all to Panama City Beach to see Southern Drawl Band perform at Pineapple Willy’s. They put on another fantastic show. The place was packed and everyone had a fun time. Thank you Julie for being our driver for the night!!!
Friday was a parrot head Phlocking at The Crust Pizzeria in Destin. Charley and his team put on a great party for the PH’s. Matt came out of bartending retirement to work the bar. Ron Drolet supplied the musical entertainment. We even had a couple more folks say they are joining the Southern Drawl Band cruise next April. This will be one of the “must attend” parties of 2016. Over 300 folks are already signed up! After the meeting we walked the harbor going to The Boathouse, Destin Harbor Shack and finally AJ’s on the dock. Austin Jennings was playing music at AJ’s and we sat with a couple from north Georgia. It was a fun time.
We left to head home about 12:30 am passing the front of AJ’s. There was a line to get into the club with more vehicles pulling in all the time. I was amazed at the number of people going in there. But AJ’s is one of the top 100 clubs in the country based on revenue right up there with clubs from Vegas and Miami so I should not be surprised.
Saturday was a day spent out and about starting out at Harry T’s for brunch with Sunshine Cindy’s parents. From there we went to Crab Island Cantina. They had some new girls behind the bar and they were hustling around doing a great job. I hope they keep them. The weather was getting threatening and we wanted to go to World of Beer so we headed that way. A storm hit while we were there with strong winds and driving rain. I am glad we were inside.
This storm produced a tragedy in Alabama in Mobile Bay. A sailing regatta was taking place when the storm blew through there. It capsized many boats and several people drowned. That is so sad for all involved.
We made our way to Uncle Bucks for a while then ended the night at Friday’s. We sat outside at Friday’s enjoying the nice evening after the storm. There was a table of several adults and three kids eating two tables down from us. After finishing all their food they complained that their food didn’t look like the pictures in the menu. Tiffany works in the service business and she picked up on what they were doing. The manager from Friday’s comp’ed them their meal. Another scam pulled off that will end up costing those of us who don’t steal (it was nothing more than stealing from the restaurant) more to pay in the future. What a great example to set for your kids too. They were nothing but scum bags!
Sunday we celebrated Sunshine Cindy’s birthday at her parent’s house with a cookout. It was a nice relaxing way to end the weekend. While we were there I saw Facebook messages from a friend who owns a pontoon rental company. One of her boats was out at Crab Island on Sunday and a guy on the boat drowned. He could not swim, got caught up in a strong current and was pulled under. They are still looking to recover him. Our friend and her staff is obviously devastated. Our prayers go out to the guys family and to our friend in this tough time.
It looks like a new business will be taking over the old Twisted Palms building in Destin. They have a new sign out that says, “Studio 98.” I have not seen or heard what this will be. This is a big building that has been a graveyard for previous attempts to make a profit. I will keep trying to find out what this will be.
Last week I mentioned how a bank building was demolished in one day. It turns out a suites hotel will be going up in its place. The land is just about completely clear of all rubble already. Just down the road from this place there is a new condo project next to the Back Porch that was announced last year that is now coming out of the ground. This is going to be a 12 story building blotting out the sun!
Have a great week. See ya next Monday!
Monday, April 27, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Wet Week in Destin
It seemed to rain on and off all last week in Destin. Most of the time the rain was light but annoying. Sunday morning we did have some strong thunderstorms blow through but by the afternoon the sun was back out.
Last weekend there was a big Parrot Head party in Panama City Beach. “Rendezvous” draws over 500 Parrot Heads to the beach from all over the country. This year was the 10th annual and I have been to everyone of them. Wednesday our friends Barry and Cathy from Lake Charles, LA came to Destin on their way to Rendezvous. Sunshine Cindy and I met them at Margaritaville for drinks then we all walked down to the Boathouse to listen to CJ play some music and to get some food.
It was a great time hanging with them. We have not seen them since last year at this time. They are a lot of fun to be around. Thursday they headed to Panama City Beach for the party. I went over on Saturday for the day. Sunshine Cindy decided to stay home so Wayne rode over with me. It looked like it would rain all day as big storms were over the Gulf but all we got was a light shower a time or two. I was glad they were able to get all the music in as our friend Jim Asbell and his band the Tropiholics were playing in the afternoon. Jim and the band always puts on a fun show and they did this time too. Jim and the band are playing for us in Put in Bay for Phlocking this coming June. You can get registered here so you can say you partied with the band! http://www.crabislandmambo.com/Crab-Island-Mambo-presents-Phlocking-of-the-Phaithful.html
Sunday Sunshine Cindy and Julie rode back over to Panama City Beach to catch a show by Southern Drawl Band. It didn’t start till 7 pm and with work on Monday I decided not to go. I need my beauty sleep. They had a blast. The place was packed and the band did a great show as usual. I would have loved to go but they didn’t back home till almost 1 am. Mike Nash, the lead singer for Southern Drawl Band will also be performing in Put in Bay at Phlocking. Just another reason to get registered!
I stopped in at Landshark Pizza a couple times this week. Friday night I had wings and on Sunday while Sunshine Cindy was gone I stopped in for some pizza and to watch some hockey. Both the wings and pizza were excellent.
I never cease to get amazed at how buildings go up and get torn down in Destin. Tuesday morning on my way to work I noticed a big pile of rubble where a bank building used to be. It was a two story building across from the Palms condo. I heard there might be a new condo tower going up there. Geeze, that’s just what we need….another tower. I hope that news was wrong.
The construction on LuLu’s is progressing. They held a job fair last week to fill about 300 positions. I don’t know where the help will come from as just about every store and restaurant in town has help wanted signs out. We are looking forward to LuLu’s opening. We enjoy her Gulf Shores location and we know the Destin place will be just as good. It should open sometime in the summer.
This weekend is a unique event for Destin. It’s called Bulls at the Beach and is a professional bull riding event held right on the beach. This should be interesting. I am not sure if we will go but it does seem like a unique event. It will be at the Boardwalk on the Island.
Okay, have a great week. See ya Monday!
Last weekend there was a big Parrot Head party in Panama City Beach. “Rendezvous” draws over 500 Parrot Heads to the beach from all over the country. This year was the 10th annual and I have been to everyone of them. Wednesday our friends Barry and Cathy from Lake Charles, LA came to Destin on their way to Rendezvous. Sunshine Cindy and I met them at Margaritaville for drinks then we all walked down to the Boathouse to listen to CJ play some music and to get some food.
With Cathy and Barry
It was a great time hanging with them. We have not seen them since last year at this time. They are a lot of fun to be around. Thursday they headed to Panama City Beach for the party. I went over on Saturday for the day. Sunshine Cindy decided to stay home so Wayne rode over with me. It looked like it would rain all day as big storms were over the Gulf but all we got was a light shower a time or two. I was glad they were able to get all the music in as our friend Jim Asbell and his band the Tropiholics were playing in the afternoon. Jim and the band always puts on a fun show and they did this time too. Jim and the band are playing for us in Put in Bay for Phlocking this coming June. You can get registered here so you can say you partied with the band! http://www.crabislandmambo.com/Crab-Island-Mambo-presents-Phlocking-of-the-Phaithful.html
Jim Asbell's Tropiholics
Sunday Sunshine Cindy and Julie rode back over to Panama City Beach to catch a show by Southern Drawl Band. It didn’t start till 7 pm and with work on Monday I decided not to go. I need my beauty sleep. They had a blast. The place was packed and the band did a great show as usual. I would have loved to go but they didn’t back home till almost 1 am. Mike Nash, the lead singer for Southern Drawl Band will also be performing in Put in Bay at Phlocking. Just another reason to get registered!
I stopped in at Landshark Pizza a couple times this week. Friday night I had wings and on Sunday while Sunshine Cindy was gone I stopped in for some pizza and to watch some hockey. Both the wings and pizza were excellent.
I never cease to get amazed at how buildings go up and get torn down in Destin. Tuesday morning on my way to work I noticed a big pile of rubble where a bank building used to be. It was a two story building across from the Palms condo. I heard there might be a new condo tower going up there. Geeze, that’s just what we need….another tower. I hope that news was wrong.
The construction on LuLu’s is progressing. They held a job fair last week to fill about 300 positions. I don’t know where the help will come from as just about every store and restaurant in town has help wanted signs out. We are looking forward to LuLu’s opening. We enjoy her Gulf Shores location and we know the Destin place will be just as good. It should open sometime in the summer.
This weekend is a unique event for Destin. It’s called Bulls at the Beach and is a professional bull riding event held right on the beach. This should be interesting. I am not sure if we will go but it does seem like a unique event. It will be at the Boardwalk on the Island.
Okay, have a great week. See ya Monday!
Monday, April 13, 2015
Spring Break is over in Destin for another year
Our friends with the Southern Drawl Band were in town this weekend. This band continues to grow and gain popularity. They played at KC’s Sandbar in Ft. Walton Beach on Friday night and at Crab Island Cantina on Sunday evening. Both show were fantastic as always. We had to dodge some raindrops on Friday but it cleared up in time for the show to go on. Sunday they played on the inside stage at the Cantina as it was raining lightly but we still had a good crowd of folks there for the show.
While at the Cantina, the band got some good news. They were booked for the Destin Seafood Festival in October. They will be playing on the big stage on Saturday of the festival. This is big. The seafood festival draws over 80,000 people to the harbor over three days. It won’t be long before they make it real big!
Last week I wrote about a drunk driver who crashed into a car, a building and into a ditch. It turns out a friend of ours was at the scene and videotaped the chaotic scene. He posted it on Youtube and it has gone viral with over 300,000 hits. This week Sunshine Cindy and I saw a guy dancing in the middle of Hwy. 98 on Saturday morning about 1:30 am. What an idiot. And on Thursday there was a lady stepping into traffic on 98 on the island. I guess the crazies were out in full force last week.
In addition to getting out to see Southern Drawl Band, Sunshine Cindy and I also had some other adventures. We used her Christmas gift to go to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. This is a dining experience that we fully enjoyed. Our waitress turned out to be girlfriend of a bartender we have known for years. It was fun talking to her. There is also a new bar that is part of the restaurant. We stopped in there and will be back. It was a nice relaxing atmosphere.
We stopped in at our American Legion to donate the license plate we got from the legion in Marion, Il. Our local Legion was thrilled to get it. We left the Legion and stopped in at the Rotten Apple. Tommy and Pops were there. Tracy was bartending and Gigi came and talked to us for a while. We then headed to Fuds on the island for some food and a parrot head meeting. The upstairs at Fuds is a neat place looking out over the bay. I had a chance to talk with Pedro. He was a previous Crab Island Mambo bartender of the month.
It must have been a weekend for running into previous bartenders of the month. At Crab Island Cantina we saw Jesse. The last time we saw Jesse was when the Crazy Lobster was closing down. He was heading to New Orleans to work during Mardi Gras. He did and came back and got a job in San Destin at the Village Door. It was good seeing him.
Saturday afternoon Sunshine Cindy and I stopped at Hogs Breath for a while. We enjoy sitting at the outside patio bar watching the traffic on 98. Rickie was working the bar and a good group of locals were there.
It looks like we are going to have a new place soon down on the harbor. The Monkey Bar has been torn down. Chris, the owner of Helen Back, is building a new place on the site of the Monkey Bar. I heard it might be called Duck Duck or something like that. They won’t do food on site but are planning to bring in a food truck that will serve Helen Back pizza’s. The plan is to be open for the summer season. The only thing constant around here is change.
Sunshine Cindy had a nice time listening to the concert from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Saturday night. We could hear the concert clearly. It’s nice sitting on our patio with our own drinks and we can hear a show!
It looks like we are going to have a stretch of rain over the next week. Each day is calling for about 80% each day. All I know is all this rain better bring May flowers!!!
We are getting closer to the “21st Annual Phlocking of the Phaithful” in Put in Bay. The Trop Rock party is only 2 months away. It’s coming up quick! Everyone is welcome to join us. Here are the details: http://www.crabislandmambo.com/Crab-Island-Mambo-presents-Phlocking-of-the-Phaithful.html
Have a great week. See ya Monday!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Easter in Destin
Easter Sunday is kind of the end of Spring Break in Destin. Last week the town was packed though. Friday night trying to get home from work was like a summer day. In Fort Walton Beach they had the Downtown Art Walk. KC’s Sandbar had music flowing from the bar when I passed it. That part of Fort Walton was hopping and slow. Destin was just as busy with cars and people everywhere.
Sunshine Cindy and I went to Landshark Pizza to see Alan and Jackie. They were leaving to head home on Sunday. They had a friend, Charley with them. Charley is from Louisville and was in town to drive a youth sports team from city to city. He was an interesting guy. Julie also joined us. We had not seen Julie in a few weeks. Landshark was packed from the moment we got there till we left. People have found out about our secret locals spot.
When we left Sunshine Cindy and I stopped in at the Rotten Apple. JD was playing again. Courtney was behind the bar. She had our beers ready as we walked in. That’s the sign of a great bartender! We hung out for a while then headed to the American Legion for Karaoke. Julie beat us there. Capt. John and Monica were there too. It was a fun time and I even sang a couple of times. It was not a pretty sight or sound! LOL
Saturday Sunshine Cindy and I went down to the harbor. Fred and his son Nick were back in town from Atlanta to go deep sea fishing. We meet them after their trip at Margaritaville for a few beers. They were happy as they had a cooler full of fish.
I have to say Margaritaville does not make it easy or cheap to stop there. We could not order two drinks each as we wanted to sit upstairs at the top bar overlooking the harbor. You had to be present to order and could only order one at a time. I understand kids at spring break but we don’t fit that criteria. So we got our one drink each and went upstairs. Then Sunshine Cindy and I wanted to buy a round but even though they knew who we were we could only get one drink each. I ordered one for me and Cindy, she took them upstairs then she came back ordered one more for me and her and we took them up so all four of us had drinks. I don’t blame the bartender, she was following directions and they have camera’s on them but come on, give your front line folks some leeway in making intelligent decisions. Finally when we were ready to leave Sunshine Cindy got a diet Coke to go…it cost $3.87 for one small ice filled glass of Coke. No wonder the locals stay away.
We decided to go to the Boathouse. As we pulled out of the parking garage onto Hwy. 98 we got a call from Alan and Jackie, they were walking up to Crab Island Cantina. So we turned around, got our same parking spot and joined them at the Cantina bar. We had a nice time visiting with them. We won’t see them again till June. They are great people and have become wonderful friends. The Cantina was busy. Judy and Mike came by to say hello. Ken walked by with his dog, Baby Girl. You could tell it was a busy holiday weekend.
When we left to head home, we saw blue lights up the road. Before we got to the blue lights we saw a car in front of AJ’s badly damaged. It turns out a drunk lost control, went up on a sidewalk and nailed a car trying to leave AJ’s, careened across Hwy. 98 and crashed into a scuba building, backed up and then crashed into a parking lot. Lucky no one was killed. This guy should be put away for a long time as he had no license for previous DUI’s.
We had a nice Easter Sunday with Sunshine Cindy’s parents at their house. The weather was great. We sat out on the dock for a while and had a couple of dolphins swim right by. One came up about 10 feet away from us. That was cool. I hope everyone had a nice Easter Sunday.
The old Fisherman’s Wharf is reopening this Wednesday as Brotula’s Seafood and Steamer. The Jackacuda’s folks are running this place too. It’s locally owned and operated. I will be interested to see what it’s like.
There were a lot of boats on the water this weekend. The Dolphin cruise boats were all full and many private boaters were out enjoying some nice weather. We also saw a bunch of pontoon rentals out in the harbor too. It’s getting closer to Crab Island time. I saw Brian on Friday. Brian used to have the Sinkin Weenie food boat. He still does catering and food on Crab Island. He is gearing up right now for the season.
This week will be a busy one around here. Southern Drawl Band will be in town playing at KC’s on Friday night, Juana’s on Saturday night and Crab Island Cantina on Sunday afternoon. I highly recommend you get out and catch one or all of their shows as these guys are great. I will have a full report on Monday!!! See ya then!!!
Sunshine Cindy and I went to Landshark Pizza to see Alan and Jackie. They were leaving to head home on Sunday. They had a friend, Charley with them. Charley is from Louisville and was in town to drive a youth sports team from city to city. He was an interesting guy. Julie also joined us. We had not seen Julie in a few weeks. Landshark was packed from the moment we got there till we left. People have found out about our secret locals spot.
When we left Sunshine Cindy and I stopped in at the Rotten Apple. JD was playing again. Courtney was behind the bar. She had our beers ready as we walked in. That’s the sign of a great bartender! We hung out for a while then headed to the American Legion for Karaoke. Julie beat us there. Capt. John and Monica were there too. It was a fun time and I even sang a couple of times. It was not a pretty sight or sound! LOL
Saturday Sunshine Cindy and I went down to the harbor. Fred and his son Nick were back in town from Atlanta to go deep sea fishing. We meet them after their trip at Margaritaville for a few beers. They were happy as they had a cooler full of fish.
I have to say Margaritaville does not make it easy or cheap to stop there. We could not order two drinks each as we wanted to sit upstairs at the top bar overlooking the harbor. You had to be present to order and could only order one at a time. I understand kids at spring break but we don’t fit that criteria. So we got our one drink each and went upstairs. Then Sunshine Cindy and I wanted to buy a round but even though they knew who we were we could only get one drink each. I ordered one for me and Cindy, she took them upstairs then she came back ordered one more for me and her and we took them up so all four of us had drinks. I don’t blame the bartender, she was following directions and they have camera’s on them but come on, give your front line folks some leeway in making intelligent decisions. Finally when we were ready to leave Sunshine Cindy got a diet Coke to go…it cost $3.87 for one small ice filled glass of Coke. No wonder the locals stay away.
We decided to go to the Boathouse. As we pulled out of the parking garage onto Hwy. 98 we got a call from Alan and Jackie, they were walking up to Crab Island Cantina. So we turned around, got our same parking spot and joined them at the Cantina bar. We had a nice time visiting with them. We won’t see them again till June. They are great people and have become wonderful friends. The Cantina was busy. Judy and Mike came by to say hello. Ken walked by with his dog, Baby Girl. You could tell it was a busy holiday weekend.
When we left to head home, we saw blue lights up the road. Before we got to the blue lights we saw a car in front of AJ’s badly damaged. It turns out a drunk lost control, went up on a sidewalk and nailed a car trying to leave AJ’s, careened across Hwy. 98 and crashed into a scuba building, backed up and then crashed into a parking lot. Lucky no one was killed. This guy should be put away for a long time as he had no license for previous DUI’s.
We had a nice Easter Sunday with Sunshine Cindy’s parents at their house. The weather was great. We sat out on the dock for a while and had a couple of dolphins swim right by. One came up about 10 feet away from us. That was cool. I hope everyone had a nice Easter Sunday.
The old Fisherman’s Wharf is reopening this Wednesday as Brotula’s Seafood and Steamer. The Jackacuda’s folks are running this place too. It’s locally owned and operated. I will be interested to see what it’s like.
There were a lot of boats on the water this weekend. The Dolphin cruise boats were all full and many private boaters were out enjoying some nice weather. We also saw a bunch of pontoon rentals out in the harbor too. It’s getting closer to Crab Island time. I saw Brian on Friday. Brian used to have the Sinkin Weenie food boat. He still does catering and food on Crab Island. He is gearing up right now for the season.
This week will be a busy one around here. Southern Drawl Band will be in town playing at KC’s on Friday night, Juana’s on Saturday night and Crab Island Cantina on Sunday afternoon. I highly recommend you get out and catch one or all of their shows as these guys are great. I will have a full report on Monday!!! See ya then!!!
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