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We are in Seacrest Beach and it seems that lightening struck somewhere nearby a few minutes ago. It was so loud and close - and it triggered our fire alarms (though no fire occurred). Does anyone know where it struck? Anyone affected? Our lights and internet are still working as of 7:45 am.

I am looking for your help. I am overall happy with the rental managment company that I currently use to manage our two cottages. But, I believe they are making some changes that may make managing our rentals (especially VRBO rentals) a bit more complicated for me, so I'm interested in finding...

We'll be going. Anyone else? Checkout Women's March Panama City FL 2019 on eventseeker

After 15 years, it may be time to get our house painted. Does anyone know of a really good house painter? We want to paint our cottage a light blue (it's currently a darker brick red color) sometime this winter. Thank you.

Does anyone know if there's a March for Science in SoWal or anywhere nearby this Saturday? A collective walk on the beach to show support for science that helps us protect the beaches and ocean for generations to come (not to mention the science that cures diseases...)? I'll be in SoWal over...

We're finally going to be in Florida in January and want to attend the Songwriter Festival. Does anyone have information about it, including when and where tickets will be sold. We want to be sure to get tickets. We're VERY excited!

I have some guests coming to rent our cottage in June and they asked me for recommendations for a fishing charter. We are in the Seacrest area. Do you have any recommendations that I can pass onto them? If I recommend a charter, I'll want it to be a very good experience for them, of course...

I'm looking for furniture to update our cottages a bit. Where are the best furniture places to shop in the 30A, Destin, Panama City area? I like high-quality, real wood furniture that will last a long time and hold up to rentals. Frankly, the furniture I have in them now would last another 20...

Does anyone know of a very good and experienced attorney in SoWal or nearby who could create a simple LLC for my rental business (I have two small cottages that I rent out on 30A)? I'd like to get this done within the next few weeks. Thanks much.

I'm looking for a fitness class or two to attend the last two weeks of January when I'll be in SoWal. Does anyone have a favorite fitness class that they go to? Is there an open gym with weights for some light weight training?

Good morning. We saw about five sharks swimming next to the shore this morning, as did other people in this area so I figured I'd pass it on.

Hi: We'll be in SoWal in about a week and want to buy two yolo boards. Does anyone have any advice on what to look for in terms of quality without necessarily going on the high end of cost? We are fine with new or used. Also, what's the best place to buy the yolo boards (we would need to...

There is a piece of property that someone started to develop during the boom and then abandoned it. It has concrete pillars, a basketball court at the back, and had a French name when it was being built. It's between Cottages at Camp Creek and Magnolia Cottages. I noticed that the lot is...

We used to enjoy seeing the children's play yard and play houses on little hills at Alys Beach. They're doing some construction now, so the play yard and houses are gone. Does anyone know if Alys Beach still has a play area for children with swings, see saw, houses on hills? It was so family...

I couldn't help but post this link to these amazing photos of sea life. Astounding what goes on in our oceans while we're hanging out at the beach or near the shore. Be prepared to be awed! http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/underwater-photo-contest-unveils-rare-image/

I'm looking for a coffee shop to hang out in that has soft chairs/couch type seating to read in while drinking coffee and eating pastry. Anything along 30A (especially if it's near the Rosemary Beach side of 30A). Thanks.

I just read in the New York Times that financial planner and blogger William J. Bernstein wrote a short book on financial planning and retirement planning for young people called, "If You Can: How Millennials Can Get Rich Slowly". Sounds like he's offering wise advice (and a lot of common...

Hi: I posted this in another thread and didn't get any responses so I'll try here. Does anyone have experience with compostable toilets? We're renovating our back shed and need a toilet for it but we'll have no water/plumbing. Any recommendations on things to look for in a compostable...

We're renovating our old shed in our back yard in Michigan and turning the shed into a tiny garden house. There will be electricity, heat, and air conditioning but no water/plumbing. We're thinking of putting in a compostable toilet. Does anyone have any advice on the type to purchase...

Hmmmm. We have a problem here and someone on this board can help direct us to who can help us. Someone has a home across the fence that has a very loud screechy motor going on and off constantly (non stop) and they must be out of town and don't know about it. I'm guessing it's an air...

One of our guests just mentioned to me that there's a flood warning in the SoWal area. Do you have any safety tips for me to pass onto our guests? It seems to me that the most dangerous/disruptive areas are near the lakes along 30A - those tend to get flooded at times. We're at the Cottages...

For those of you who want to fly to SoWal this summer and fall, there's a great sale going on for the next day or so. I got a round trip ticket to Panama City Beach airport end of August/first week in Sept for $220! Labor day may be a black out time, though. But, I'm a happy camper because...

There's a very pretty, friendly, well-behaved orange male tiger cat, probably a young adult, wandering around the Cottages at Camp Creek in Seacrest. Looks a bit like a very neat and clean Garfield type cat. Does the cat belong to anyone? Seems domesticated and very sweet. If no one claims...

Someone may have posted this already, but here's a New York Times article about the Panhandle, including SoWal, from last Sunday. Sally's got some great press, as did Grayton Beach and a few other places...

Hi: Our cottages are now 10 year old (hard to believe - it feels like we just bought them!). They have insulation under the cottage (the cottages are raised a few feet above the ground) and the wire that holds the insulation up is starting to come apart in a few areas. We'll be getting this...

Hi All: We'll be in SoWal between Christmas and New Years and would like your recommendations of things to do. Some of the people in our party are sporty, others (like me) are moderately lazy. But we all like to dance. So far, here's our plan and we'd love your recommendations for things...

Hi: We will be happily spending our first Christmas in SoWal this year. We'll be flying in Christmas day and will have dinner in SoWal. Since Publix is likely to be closed on Christmas (we won't be able to buy food to cook dinner), are any restaurants open on 30A for dinner on Christmas...

I didn't know where to post this, but it may fit here. A friend of mine (and of ratherbepaddlin's) was diagnosed with ALS in 2008 and 6 women will be swimming the English channel to try to beat the world record and raise awareness and money for ALS. Here is an inspiring video about Bob, the 6...

I just read on another thread that Alys Beach is putting in fountains? Please tell me more because we have a place need Alys Beach and we're very happy to be near Alys Beach because it's a beautiful, well-cared for, and open to the community place. So, what are the fountains going to be like...

Does anyone know the dates for the annual Song Writers' festival in january 2013? We want to plan our work and vacations so that we can be here for it. It's not on the Live Music Calendar yet. Thanks.

Where are the best pastries in SoWal? Not muffins, not cakey pastries. I'm talking about the flaky pastries - plain croissants or filled pastries, that taste fresh from the oven. Ideally, I'm looking for a place on the east side of 30A - Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach but I'll go...

So, we've taken up fishing (well, I haven't but my sweetheart has). Do restaurants around SoWal serve good recipes for catfish. Anyone have any good recipes for catfish? We've had whitefish, pompano, and redfish so far in the past year - all great. Would like to find really good catfish...

I'm so excited because we loved Amavida Coffee when we were in SoWal and I just ordered 2 packages of the romantic blend for my sweetie for Valentines day. He will be sooooooooooo surprised! What a great small business you have and I'm so glad you're online as well.

Just wanted to post that we bought amavida coffee beans when we were in SoWal over New Years and that coffee is fantastic. I usually can't tell one coffee from the other - e.g., starbucks versus other regular coffees, but we really thought the Amavida coffee tasted much better than other...

We have two rental cottages and like to keep a landline in the cottages in case the guests have an emergency (cell phones can be undependendable and sometime the person with the cell phone leaves the cottage, leaving people behind who don't have cell phones). That said, having a phone in the...

OK, sometimes we just want to pick up something inexpensive and already prepared at Publix (either cooked or ready to cook) when we're already there shopping for groceries. What are your favorites quick pick up meals at Publix? OK, you can add quick take-out meals from anywhere on 30A...

We're looking to buy a kayak now that next year we'll be able to spend more time in SoWal now that both kids will be off to college. When we bought a place in SoWal, the kids were only 8 and 10, and the dream of spending lots of time in SoWal seemed so far away, and now it's around the corner...

Destin/Fort Walton Beach made the list as one of the 20 geekiest cities in the U.S. (as did my hometown). Well, I think this is a good thing for SoWal because it's related to education and employability - and ideally bringing in more jobs at some point: Here's what the article says...

I have guests who will be staying at our cottage who asked me if I know of any restaurants with a good seafood buffet on 30A (especially with crab legs), Panama City Beach, or Destin (we're closer to Panama City Beach - Seacrest Beach). Does anyone know of any? How about that new seafood...

I need to make a choice between AT&T and Verizon with my iPad/phone so can you tell me which works better in SoWal - ATT or Verizon. I'll make my decision based on this because I'll be using my iPad/phone in SoWal a lot. I've heard coverage is the biggest reason to choose one over the other...

Just wondering what you think the best, most comfortable beach shows are that you can wear in the ocean, on the beach, and comfortably walking around (e.g., a long walk). I don't find flip flop type shoes comfortable. And where would I get this wonderful new beach shoes? Thanks.

Greetings: Does anyone know when the various spring breaks begin and end? I'm starting to get inquiries for spring vacations and don't quite know when the "peak" spring season is versus the non-peak spring dates are. It all depends on when the people from the southern schools have vacations...

We'll be coming to SoWal late Saturday night :wave: for a few days and will need to get some groceries on Sunday morning? Is Publix open? If not, what is? Are any breakfast places open early Sunday morning? We'll be going to Calyza Restaurant for Sunday brunch later, but we'll want to...

I just got our tickets to come to SoWal in August and they were $230 each and usually they're about $350. I think the fares go through November. I had to leave on a Monday rather than Saturday to get these rates, but they were worth it. If you're coming to SoWal from the midwest between now...

Hi: Doesn't anyone know if Rosemary Beach, Seaside, or anywhere else that has a heated pool offers memberships for using their heated pools on a weekly or monthly basis (or daily fee)? Other than Frank Brown Park in Panama city (it's a bit far), are other heated pools available to use in...

Hi: I just heard that the tax to guests for rentals in SoWal went up to 11.5%. Can someone tell me when that started or will start? Is it just SoWal or other areas (e.g., all of Florida) as well? Thanks much.

I just got this in an email from someone at work. I'm assuming it's true and I'm going to get on the do not call list. Thought it would be helpful to SoWallers, too. REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public next month. REMINDER.... all cell phone numbers are being released to...

We keep landline phones in our rentals for guests. With two cottages, it costs us about $30 per cottage per month for the regular phone and then the "block service" so that guests can't make long-distance calls. When we travel, however, we notice that most of the places we rent (other than...

Hmmmmm.... Someone I know almost stepped on a 5 foot long red snake with black rings around it. Anyone know what kind it is and whether it's dangerous?

My daughter wants to have her high school senior photos taken in SoWal (even though she's graduating in Michigan). Can anyone recommend a professional photographer in SoWal, along with website and phone number so we can see some sample photos. While we're doing the graduation photos, we'll...