Jan Evett Panama City Beach, FL

Relocating to a new city can be somewhat intimidating!  As a real estate consultant, one of my goals is to make the transition easier for you. These tips can make it a - less intimidating - more enjoyable experience for you!

Time Saving Tips for Relocating to your new Location

1.  Organize, Prioritize, Minimize

• Donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity.  Clean out the clutter and give away what you really don't need or want to move.
• List the most important things you must do before you leave your present home that will ensure a smoothe transition to your new home.  Set aside magazines, bills, and other recurring mail that you want to move with you to your new address.  Get the US Post Office moving packet to send your change of address to your credit card companies, your subscriptions, your friends and family.
• Pack travel items in compact compartments in travel size bags.  Instead of packing the entire 250-size box of q-tips, place a small amount to get you to your new destination in a ziplock bag in your carry-on travel bag. Place travel-size personal items in with a few extra changes of clothing for each family member in a separate travel bag.  If you have to stop overnight, you will appreciate carrying one small bag into the hotel instead of everyone's big suitcase.  You may have to "wing it" the first night you arrive in your new city, and the more compact you have packed for everyone the easier it is to settle in.

2.  Arrange Account Transfers In Advance

• Electric and Gas Company Accounts
• Water, Sewer, and Garbage Utilities
• Cable, Internet, and Phone Services
• Mobile or Wireless Phones and Internet Cards
• Pest Control and Lawn Care Companies
• Bank Accounts, Investment Funds, Legal Advisors

3.  Moving Company Precautions and Proceedures

• Coordinate your departure and arrival schedule
• Furnish your en-route contact information with the moving van driver
• Remove personal items that need to "go with you" out of your house.  Put items that you need in your car so they won't get lost, stolen, or accidentally packed by the moving company.
• Label boxes by content and which room you want them to go to in your new home
• Do not pack flammable items, open containers (especially food items), jewelry or valuables for the moving company.  Transport these items separately from your household goods.

4.  Go before and behind your movers checking areas others may miss

• Take the time to walk through your old house one last time after everything has been moved out
• Check basements, attics, closets, cabinets, behind remaining window treatments, and garages for any items that movers may have missed.
• Try to be available when your movers are unloading your items.  Photograph and report any damages.
• Point out the right location to those helping you unpack/unload boxes and funiture items.
• Watch out for anything that might cause someone to trip, fall, or hit their head on low hanging areas.

5.  Take a positive attitude with you on the journey

• Prepare children and pets for the move by making sure they have snacks, pillows and blankets, and an extra change of clothing.  Young and older family members may need to stop more frequently for meals or restroom breaks.  Comfortable people are happier people.
• Discuss any concerns or problems with the moving van driver before you get on the road.  Try to establish an open line of communication with everyone involved in the move so there are no surprises. 
• Smile and compliment those who are trying to help you pack and move furniture and heavy items.  Set the tone for a pleasant trip!

Contact me anytime while you are preparing to relocate or during your move.  I will help anyway possible!

Jan Evett Broker Associate Century 21 Ryan Realty, Inc. 8212 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 Mobile: 850-258-3998 Email: jevett@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/janevett HometownBayCounty.com Search Homes for Sale
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When families are relocating to a new town, one of their first questions is usually about the school system.  They want to know about the schools for their particular children's age groups.  Since I have raised three children in Bay County, I have first-hand experiences to share with them.  All 3 of my "kids" grew up here, graduated from Bay High School, and even attended the local Gulf Coast Community College.   

At one time, I was a cheerleader "mom" and a band "mom" and a chorus "mom" all in the same year!  Since my children were three years apart in age, I had at least one of them in the same high school for 10 consecutive years!  Trust me, I know about Bay County Schools!

Bay County's schools include elementary schools (grades K-5), middle schools (grades 6-8), and high schools (grades 9-12).  Haney Technical Center is a designated post-secondary technical training institution, and M.K. Lewis School serves as a special purpose school for students with special needs.

Currently there are 22 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 7 high schools, 1 alternative school, 2 adult education schools and 1 special purpose school.  One of the best ways to present these schools to you is with the graphic below that was published in the local newspaper, The News Herald, reporting each school's standing in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) scoring.

On the college level, Bay County is fortunate to have an exceptional "community college" offering Associate Degrees in a wide variety of fields.  Gulf Coast Community College also has an excellent athletic program, and an outstanding fine arts school, as well as a first-class Culinary School with it's own fine dining restaurant.  Bay County is home for our newest State Representative, Jimmy Patronis, who is a native of Panama City Beach, Florida.  He grew up here, lives on Panama City Beach, and is involved with schools and colleges in Bay County. 

Gulf Coast College students are shown here with FL State Representative, Jimmy Patronis, at a Political Forum Hosted by the St Anderews Bay Leadership Committee.

Florida State University opened a "Panama City" campus that has grown tremendously over the past decade.  The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields ranging from business to law enforcement. The campus is located directly on St Andrews Bay at the foot of the Hathaway Bridge connecting Panama City to Panama City Beach.  You couldn't ask for a more pleasant learning environment.

One of the unique opportunities available with the campus located on the Gulf of Mexico and several local bays, is the SHARC Dive Club (SCUBA, Hyperbaric, and Recreational Club)!   It was organized after the campus began the Underwater Crime Scene Investigation (UCSI) program. A lot of students have shown quite a bit of interest in both scientific and recreational diving. The club offers SCUBA training and organizes diving recreational activities for its members, while emphasizing safety first. Membership in SHARC is open to divers and non-divers.

Tom P. Haney Technical Center/Technical High School opened at this site in 1968 and is governed by the Bay District School Board. There are approximately 20 full-time day and evening programs on the campus which is located at the intersection of Hwy 77 and Baldwin Road, just north of the Panama City Mall. Haney is a state designated post-secondary technical training school with a history of fine academic and technical training programs from Adult General Education (GED) to Industrial Education and licensing programs.

Since the Bay County School Board is the Number 1 employer in our area, it's economic impact is felt not only in the lives of families with school-age children, but by every resident and local business.  Along with Tyndall Air Force Base, the educational system leads the workforce in Bay County.  Shown below are our top 10 employers.

Bay County School Board 

Nelson Administrative Building
1311 Balboa Avenue
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 872- 4100
http://www.bay.k12.fl.us

Jan Evett Broker Associate Century 21 Ryan Realty, Inc. 8212 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 Mobile: 850-258-3998 Email: jevett@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/janevett HometownBayCounty.com Search Homes for Sale
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Locals know when it's almost time for spring break on Panama City Beach........ that's when Captain Anderson's Restaurant re-opens from a short winter holiday.  They open the big front doors just in time for our winter guests to enjoy the delicious fare of this highly acclaimed restaurant and right on time for the spring break rush. 

Captain Anderson's Restaurant opened for their 42nd Anniversary in January, 2009. Since 1967, Capt. Anderson's has created many Gulf Coast classic dishes and has won the loyalty of millions of customers, who they treat like family and consider to be friends.

For many families who come to the beach every year for spring break, it is a tradition to "dine early at Capt. Anderson's, and watch the fishing fleets unload their catch."  

This waterfront restaurant has grown to 660 seats serving over 250,000 guests during its 8 month season six nights each week. Founders, Jimmy and Johnny Patronis have passed the family valuesof high standards, hard work and consistency on to the younger Patronis generations, and the family still works at the busy restaurant.

Named among America's Top 50 restaurants, recipient of the "Best Seafood Restaurant" award from Southern Living and Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence," Capt. Anderson's won Florida Trend's Golden Spoon Award for 15 years before being inducted into the Restaurant Hall of Fame in 2005. The Hall of Fame is the highest honor Florida Trend can bestow upon a Florida restaurant.

The Patronis family works with fishermen, oystermen and others who make their living harvesting the Gulf and Bays to preserve the natural oyster beds of Apalachicola Bay by building artificial reefs to protect the fragile coastal ecology.  Their dedication to the seafood industry is one of the most important reasons Capt. Anderson's is known for serving more fresh local seafood than many other restaurants in Florida. 

The Patronis family and restaurant staff have truly enjoyed serving the locals and seasonal visitors over the years, and many of their dishes have become popular favorites.  Click here to view the Dinner Menu

The fifth edition of the Captain Anderson's Cookbook, "Captain's Classics," is now available. When you dine at the restaurant, you can ask your server about it or visit the Waterfront Market

Gift cards are now available online - perfect gift for family and friends!
Click Here  While you are here, don't forget to book a romantic evening on the Lady Anderson Dinner Cruise (850-234-5940).  This wonderful cruise boat features a delicious dinner served with local entertainment as your cruise around the pristine waters of St Andrews Bay.  

Captain Anderson's Restaurant is located at 5551 N Lagoon Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, phone: 850-234-2225.  Proudly serving Gulf Coast Classics and Open Hearth Grill Cuisine including Steaks, Fish & Seafood, Desserts, Beer, Wine, Cocktails.

Jan Evett Broker Associate Century 21 Ryan Realty, Inc. 8212 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 Mobile: 850-258-3998 Email: jevett@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/janevett HometownBayCounty.com Search Homes for Sale
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Taking digital photos is one of my favorite things about marketing a new listing.  I really love taking the photos myself.  As I become familiar with my new listings, I begin to visualize how I want to stage the home.  Through the digital photos, I can see how to best market the home, and hopefully potential buyers can see themselves living in the home. 

Recently I discovered that Photobucket has added a photo slide show to their site.  By uploading my digital photos into "my album" I can design a slideshow presentation.  This one is a wonderful historic Victorian Era home in the St Andrews area of downtown Panama City located at St Andrews Bay.  The home is less than a half block from the bay and the view from the corner street is beautiful indeed.  The home was once directly on the bay, but in 1908 it was moved slightly uphill on log rollers by a team of oxen.  The neighbor across the street was just a toddler, but was so impressed by the event that he recalls it still today. 

The Historical Society of Bay County recently provided the seller with a complete history of the home which had been extensively researched because they believe this home is the oldest remaining pioneer home in Panama City.  Other homes that may have been older have been destroyed in one manner or another leaving this one to hold the title, according to the Historical Society.  It is believed the home was built in 1876.  A census taken in 1890 lists the names of family members living in the home and records that they were living there prior to 1877.  This home has been lovingly maintained, restored, renovated, and updated throughout its history and is in pristine condition today with all the modern amenities of a newly built home on the St Andrews Bay shoreline. List Price: $525,000.

Jan Evett Broker Associate Century 21 Ryan Realty, Inc. 8212 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 Mobile: 850-258-3998 Email: jevett@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/janevett HometownBayCounty.com Search Homes for Sale
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There is some new construction going on in downtown Panama City in Bay County, Florida. The Regional Library that has been housed at the downtown Marina for many years is getting a new home. The Bay County Library is a tremendous resource for local residents, including teachers and students, families, clubs and individuals who are accustomed to meeting there frequently.

The library is located at the downtown Marina and although it's a beautiful location, there are a few transient folk who roam the downtown streets. But that's probably not why the Bay County Commission, who took over operations of the library last year, decided to build at a new location.

The Library is undergoing a new growth spurt with the construction of a new facility. The staff says the last day at the current location will be April 13 and a grand opening at the new location is scheduled for May 16, 2008.

In addition to a new building and equipment, there is also a new Director, Joyce Dannecker.

The once privatly run library was taken over by Bay County government last April, and the former director was replaced.

Dannecker had been with the library for a long time, and became the interim director. She was officially named library director last week.

In an article in the local News Herald she was quoted as saying that she is glad to see the "interim" dropped from her title. Dannecker said she is excited about having more space in the new building which will allow sufficient room for new and current Library programs, such as a children's reading group. Other Libraries in Bay County in addition to the Bay County Public Library are the Lynn Haven Public Library, the Panama City Beach Library, the Parker Public Library, and the Library at Gulf Coast Community College.

It's nice to see new growth, positive developments, and good things continuing to happen in Panama City, FL.

Jan Evett Broker Associate Century 21 Ryan Realty, Inc. 8212 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 Mobile: 850-258-3998 Email: jevett@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/janevett HometownBayCounty.com Search Homes for Sale
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