May 22nd, 2008
Posted by Robin Sherman
Pensacola Regional Airport – We have a SUPER little airport here in 
Pensacola. It’s in a convenient location, easy to get into and out of, clean and shiny, plenty of parking . . . everything you’d want in an airport. But, guess what? It’s gonna get BETTER!
With growth for the region on the horizon, a $100 million dollar expansion is underway. There will be a state-of-the-art in-line baggage screening area, an enlarged ticketing area, four more passenger loading gates and a 1,300 space addition to the covered parking garage. This will be the most expensive public works project ever undertaken by the City of Pensacola. And . . . get this . . . the project is being phased in over several years so it should not impact travelers. YES!!!
Nine major passenger carriers fly into Pensacola and there are eight rental car agencies operating from the airport. There is a great gift shop, a full service restaurant a coffee shop and a news stand.
You can access the latest Airport information at www.FlyPensacola.com
Here’s some additional basic information you might want to know before your next trip:
Address:
2430 Airport Blvd., Ste. 225, Pensacola, FL 32504
Airport Operations Center: 850–436–5000
Administration: 850–436–5006 (M-F, 8am to 5pm)
Directions:
From Mobile on I-10 or Tallahassee or Panama City on I-10
Take I10 to Exit 12. Go South to Exit 5 (Brent Lane). Turn left onto Brent Lane, left onto Davis Highway and right onto Airport Blvd.
From Ft. Walton Beach/Destin
Go west on Hwy. 98, across Pensacola Bay Bridge to Pensacola and follow the signs to I-110 North. Take Exit 5 onto Brent Lane. Turn onto Brent Lane, left at the next light onto Davis Hwy and right to onto Airport Blvd.
From Perdido Key, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Take Gulf Beach Hwy east. Turn right onto Garden St., left on Palafox and right on Chase St., to on ramp to I-110 North. Take Exit 5 and turn right onto Brent Lane. Turn left at the next light onto Davis Hwy and right onto Airport Blvd.
Pensacola Regional Airport – Flying High
Related Article at Pensacola Regional Airport Takes Off
May 21st, 2008
Posted by Robin Sherman
Gulf Breeze’s AppRiver, Top 100 Most Innovative in the nation. A rapidly 
growing Gulf Breeze, FL, Web security firm, AppRiver, has garnered another Kudo! The Red Herring, a national magazine focusing on technology and business has named AppRiver one of the 100 most innovative private technology companies in North America.
Just last year, Inc. Magazine named AppRiver to its list of 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in America. The company also received the 2007 Florida Governor’s Business Diversification Award. All of this from right here in little ‘ole Gulf Breeze!
Over 1,500 applicants were screened for the Red Herring’s top 100 award. Financial performance, technology innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy and integration into their ecosystem are areas that are scrutinized during judging.
AppRiver is just one of the companies participating in the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce initiative, “i-10 Wired” designed to encourage networking and job growth between the companies that make up the fast growing technology sector in our area.
To read a related article, click on the title below:
Poised for Growth – Interstate 10 – Mobile, AL, to Crestview, FL
May 21st, 2008
Posted by Robin Sherman
Evening in Olde Seville Square – Round up the kids, pack the picnic cooler, grab the lawn chairs . . . It’s Caribbean night at Seville Square in downtown Pensacola this Thursday evening with John Wooton and KAISO, famous for their steel drums and native instruments. And, guess what . . . it’s FREE!
Never made it to a Thursday concert at Seville? Well don’t miss this one for heavens sake! John’s group performs a variety of styles including calypso, soca, jazz, salsa, samba, reggae and funk. Bet you won’t be able to sit still!
Evening in Olde Seville Square – The concert starts at 7pm and is over by 9pm – giving you plenty of time for your beauty rest!
By the way, the Pensacola Bay Area is pretty well known for our free events. If you haven’t made it out to a “Bands on the Beach” concert you are truly missing a fabulous venue. Bands on the Beach is every Tuesday evening through September at Casino Beach on Pensacola Beach. Free as well!
May 19th, 2008
Posted by robin sherman
Global Warming and Hurricanes Not Related – Just in time for the start of the 2008 hurricane season, a new study by prominent federal scientist Tom Knutson indicates that global warming and a recent jump in hurricane activity aren’t related. What is really surprising about this announcement is that Knutson has previously raised concerns about the effects of climate change on storms and has complained about being censored by the Bush administration for past studies on the dangers of global warming.
Knutson’s new study actually indicates that by the end of the century the number of hurricanes in the Atlantic will fall by 18 percent.
So . . . what’s the real scoop and what does it matter anyway? Good question! While there were many factors that fed into the real estate slowdown in Florida, the fear of hurricanes was certainly a big one.
In the aftermath of numerous hurricanes coming ashore in Florida in 2004 and 2005, insurance rates climbed. Last year the Florida Legislature stepped in and assumed a good deal of the risk in order keep insurers from abandoning the state altogether. For this reason – the eyes of the state are firmly fastened on any predictions related to hurricanes. The last two years have seen the predictions of increased storm activity fizzle out when the anticipated hurricanes failed to materialize.
Related Articles – Click on the Article to Read
Global Warming has Little Impact in Tropical Storm and Hurricane Numbers
Northwest Florida Real Estate Market – A History of Recent Changes
May 18th, 2008
Posted by robin sherman
| Sales in Greater Pensacola Bay Area |
5/15/06 to 5/15/07
|
5/15/07 to 5/15/08
|
| Total # of Sales |
6,572
|
5,125
|
| Average Sold Price |
$203,246
|
$206,014
|
| Median Sold Price |
$164,900
|
$160,000
|
| Average Price Per Square Foot |
$128
|
$112
|
| Sell Price to List Price |
96.04%
|
95.07%
|
| Average # of Days on the Market |
120
|
140
|
Pensacola Bay Area Market Report – Just what’s going on with property sales in Pensacola? Fewer homes are selling and homes are moving a bit slower than the same period a year ago, but average prices have actually crept up a bit. The table shows sales of homes, townhomes, condominiums and manufactured homes in the Greater Pensacola Bay Area for the past year. This encompasses not only Pensacola, but outlying areas including Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. Statistics come from the Pensacola Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service. I will be breaking this down by individual communities in upcoming posts. In the meantime, if you would like to read similar past posts, click on the links below.
Pensacola Beach Market Update, Prices Up, What’s the Real Story
Hit Bottom Yet? You Bet!
May 18th, 2008
Posted by robin sherman
Aragon Tour and Wine Tasting – Couldn’t have asked for a nicer day for the the downtown Pensacola neighborhood, Aragon, to hold their fifth annual tour and wine tasting. Aragon is a pedestrian-oriented urban neighborhood integrating Pensacola’s rich history and embracing its architectural past. Aragon is in the center of Pensacola’s historic district, a short walk to downtown and Pensacola Bay.
Aragon features a wide variety of home styles aranged around parks and tree-lined sidewalks. Most homes have hidden courtyards filled with lush gardens like the one above.
A French style courtyard is a common site in this centrally located neighborhood. Seven homes were open for the tour this year.
To read a post on another popular downtown Pensacola neighborhood click on the title below:
Charming East Hill
May 17th, 2008
Posted by Robin Sherman
I have friends coming to visit in a couple of weeks and as I was driving to my office today I couldn’t help but look at things as I imagine they will see them. What will they think about my hometown? Will they love it as I do?
My drive to my beach office is about 14 miles with little to no traffic, so a short commute by most standards. I’m heading west, so on MANY Tuesday and Wednesday mornings – if I hit the road early enough – I am rewarded with a SPECTACULAR sight; the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team the Blue Angels taking to the skies with the sun illuminating them from behind me.
Now, I grew up here and I’m the wife of a Navy man, so seeing the Blue Angels isn’t anything new to me. But, I have to admit that no matter how many times I’ve seen them – up close or at a distance – my heart starts racing and I feel the goose bumps rising. I can’t explain it, but when I see that diamond formation of gleaming blue jets turning in tight formation I’m WOWED. Every time, no fail!
So I make a mental note to check the Blues’ practice schedule so, hopefully, I can take my friends to NAS Pensacola for a closer look.
On my trek to work I pass through the Naval Live Oaks Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. From the highway my view is simply woodlands and a bike path, but I know that a quick turn off Highway 98 will lead me into a quiet preserve of live oaks, with a trail to walk and miles of beach to explore. This might make a great jaunt with my friends.
As I drive along toward the office I take a turn south and head over the Bob Sikes Bridge. Now, I 
can’t use the word SPECTACULAR twice in one post so I will have to term this one PHENOMINAL. As I crest the bridge I look out on Santa Rosa Island (Pensacola Beach) with the clear blue- green waters of the Gulf of Mexico pressed against the bright, white sand of the beach. Below me is the Santa Rosa Sound. I always – rain or shine – make sure I turn the radio off so I can take it all in.
That’s it for my drive to work, but my friends will surely need to see historic downtown Pensacola, the Blackwater River State Park, Scenic Highway, Perdido Key and well . . . it’s looking like I will l have to work on keeping them here for more than a week!
May 15th, 2008
Posted by robin sherman
Pensacola Beach Undressed. Yes, undressed. As in stripped down, exposed, bare. 
But don’t get the wrong idea! This site is G rated to be sure. Pensacola Beach Undressed is a place to find - and share - information about just what’s really going on in the Greater Pensacola Bay Area. The bare facts, so to speak. From upcoming festivals to real estate statistics to the latest happenings at the local government level, Pensacola Beach Undressed is here to expose the very best characteristics of our area neighborhoods, promoting the unique qualities we know and love about Pensacola.
While we’re part of the larger network of NeighborhoodsUndressed, this is our local blog, hosted by none other than little ‘ol me, Robin Sherman. Those of you who know me personally know that I like to talk, so learning that I like to write won’t be a big stretch for you. I hope you’ll check in here often. Please comment. Please share. This is an informal place so let’s undress it! After all, it IS all about the exposure.
