Sunday Funny

Courtesy of my nephew :)

Happy mouth

Photo by these cuties

Happy Weekend!

Photo by the good girls at Goode Green

Locals in need

We wanted to make you aware of some local opportunities to give. At a time when most of us are struggling in some aspect, there is always a little reminder that we are more blessed than we might realize.



Heartworks Kids - This organization, headed by local Lauren Romano, is an "Acts of Kindness" non profit group that encourages children to give and receive from the heart. Parents are involved in the giving process, but the ideas and enthusiasm are generated by their children. Created in response to the kindness that was shown to families after 9/11, Heartworks helps by raising funds, clothing, food and other items for locals in need. Their upcoming "FUN-Raiser" is a pancake breakfast at Point Washington United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 13 from 8:00-11:00 a.m. You can enjoy a stack of hotcakes, sausage and juice for a $5 donation. Volunteers are also needed for this event. You can buy tickets on locals night at Pizza by the Sea Thursday, 2/4 and 2/11. To find out more or to join Heartworks, email infohwkids@gmail.com or visit their website.

Muscogee Nation of Florida- Located in Bruce {about 30 minutes from the beach}, this group represents approximately 500 households which includes 75+ at-risk children. This tribe is very poor and in desperate need of assistance. They are proud and willing to work, but many have lost their jobs recently and can't afford gas to travel to the beach to find day labor. The result is children whose only meal is a free lunch at school. Many of the families are now in danger of losing the power to their homes as they do not have the means to pay their electrical bills. Local Kate Johnson of Beach to Bayou is teaming up with Keith Flippo of Premier Property Group to raise money, food and supplies for these families. The list of items that are needed is below. If you wish to donate supplies or money, please drop off your items by Friday, January 29 to the Premier Property Group office in Seacrest or WaterColor. You can also make a donation by sending a check to: Ann Tucker, Muscogee Nation of Florida, 278 Church Road, Bruce, FL 32455. Please note on your check that it is for the Emergency Relief Fund.

ITEMS NEEDED:
Chicken & Dumplings
Beef Stew
Spaghetti Sauce
Tuna Fish
Fruit {applesauce and peaches}
Fruit Juice
Vegetables
Beans
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Spaghetti
Macaroni & Cheese
Ramen Noodles
Boxed Meals
Rice
Dried Beans
Cereal
Grits
High Protein Items with Long Shelf Life
Fresh Fruit
Cheese
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Diapers & Wipes
Deodorant
Bath Soap
Laundry Detergent
First Aid Items

Thank you for helping make a difference in some hurting locals' lives. If you can't afford to donate at this time, your prayers are equally as appreciated!

See & Be Seen

The crowd is always a little bigger when Amanda comes to visit. She's a whiz at face painting, balloon making and tattoos. To find out when she'll be stopping by next, sign up for our email list by sending a message to pizzabythesea@yahoo.com.

Two more days to help

We're extending our offer through Sunday, so you have two more days to help us help them. Just say "Haiti" to get 25% off your food and drinks and we'll donate a percentage to World Vision. This is a great organization recommended by Jane Hennessey. It will get IMMEDIATE aid to the children and families in Haiti which is exactly what we hoped to find. Thanks for letting us know about them, Jane. If you wish to make a donation, please visit their website.

It's not too late

We had a great crowd at the pizza place tonight. We are so very grateful to everyone who came out to help Haiti. We will continue to contribute a portion of our sales Friday and Saturday, and everyone who visits and says "Haiti" gets 25% off your bill. We are researching the very best organization to donate the funds to. It's important to us to get relief to hurting people as soon as possible. Thank you so much for supporting us in this effort.

Help us help them

We are committed to helping those in our community on an ongoing basis, but this week we decided to focus our efforts on the devastation that occurred in Haiti. We are giving a portion of our sales this week to benefit the relief efforts there. To thank you for helping those in need, if you dine with us through Saturday and say "Haiti," we'll give you 25% off your food and beverages. This offer is good for dine in or carry out orders. Please help us help them!

Sunday Funny

Our new employee Sean has quickly become a customer favorite. He's friendly, hard-working, a great artist and most importantly, he has a rockin' sense of humor. Just check out the drawing he did of David above. Sean is working today, so come by and meet him if you haven't. Maybe he'll even perform this trick for you.

Greatness among us

Shawn Mullins at Fish Out of Water {photographed by Bess Marshall of Tracery}

If you don't have tickets to the sold out 30A Songwriter's Festival, chances are you're kicking yourself and planning on buying early next year. We have weekend passes and started last night amazed at the talent locals Mark & Paige Schnell, Jennifer Steele Saunders, Joy Steele and others have brought to our little piece of paradise. My husband leaned over to me while we were listening to Rodney Crowell, Emily Sailers, Chely Wright and Gary Louris at Fish Out of Water and said, "This is one of those I-can't-believe-we-live-here moments."

Jennifer Steele Saunders invited on stage at Fish Out of Water to sing with Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls {photo by Geri Golding of Gigi's}

The stars are all over town and rumor has it, many have been or will stop by Pizza by the Sea - woo hoo! If you don't have tickets, there are still a few to the Indigo Girls concert at Alys Beach on Sunday or you can visit the Facebook page and beg for someone to sell you theirs. Otherwise, you may just find yourself at Publix shopping for tomatoes next to Shawn Mullins...or better yet, picking up your order at Pizza by the Sea as you rub elbows with Sam Bush.

Sam Bush {photographed by Emme Wood of Alys Beach}

Smoking Flowers, Billy Bright and Mike & Ruthy at Shorty's {photo by Eileen West}

Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs {of The Bangles} at Bud & Alley's {Photo by Geri Golding of Gigi's}

Local Favorite Baulder Saunders of Dread Clampitt joins Susanna Hoffs at Bud & Alley's {Photo by Geri Golding of Gigi's}

Awwww

It always means so much to us when anyone sings our praises. I must admit the recent email I received had me beaming with pride! It was from Denise, owner of the ultra-hip clothing line Matilda Jane. They were in WaterColor recently to shoot their newest line and she had this to say about our place...

"Both times I've been to WaterColor I ate there. Love Pizza by the Sea...and the cookies...my gosh...You do know I live in Fort Wayne, and if you say Pizza by the Sea, most likely if you are talking to someone that winters/vacations down there, they know of it!"

Thanks so much, Denise. We look forward to seeing you and your gorgeous Fort Wayne crew again soon. And it goes without saying that we can't wait to see your fabulous new spring line featuring pics from our neck of the woods.

All photographs from here

Get your ZEN on

Discovered this little gem accidentally last week while running errands. It's called Zen Garden Market & Lotus Cafe, located at 707 Jackson {formerly Beckrich} in Panama City Beach. When we saw the slogan on the wall, "Let food be your medicine," we were hooked. They have healthy {truly healthy, not just low fat} foods - organic, vegetarian, free-range, gluten-free, etc. in a precious little cafe surrounded by gardens.

They also sell local produce, plants and supplements. The menu offers salads, soup, tapas, sandwiches, juices, coffee and smoothies. We loved our Curry Plate and Chicken Pita with salad and hummus on the side. You will also fall in love with the owner. He loves and appreciates local business, so check it out soon when you're heading to PCB.

Escaping the Cold

Brrrrrr! The promise of warmer weather means tomorrow we might be able to use our patio again. Here's hoping the weather man is right this time.

8 Days A Week {if we could}

We wanted to let you know that we are OPEN! It seems many restaurants are closing up temporarily this time of year, but Pizza by the Sea is here to serve you 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. This means we are now open for lunch on Sundays. Thanks as always for supporting our place and other local businesses.

Hook 'Em!!

We may be Texans living in Bama Land, but we're still pulling for Bryan's alma mater tonight. Go Longhorns!!!

Happy New Year!

What a great way to start the year! We just found out we won "Hot Spot for Pizza" and "Hot Spot for Kid-Friendly Dining" in the latest polls on 30A.com. Thanks so much to everyone who voted.