Despite woes, be thankful
      Thursday is Thanksgiving - a national holiday that is special for so many of us. It is not to honor a heroic person, or to celebrate the victory of a great battle, but a day set aside to give thanks. With the stock market at a low ebb, the jobless rolls increasing, and the housing market still in the doldrums, it may be easy to become pessimistic and ask, "Thankful?
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Wind-driven fire destroys home
Neighbor thankful spectacular blaze didn't spread to her house
BY JOE CULPEPPER Gulf Breeze News joe@gulfbreezenews.com
      As investigators continued to probe a spectacular Pensacola Beach house fire, one neighbor said only Divine Intervention kept her home from going up in flames. "I stand here in amazement," Cheri Hlubek of 319 Panferio Drive said Nov. 18, the day after a wind-driven fire destroyed a home under construction about 50 feet away from her back porch.
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Beach cleanup Saturday
Debris 'ornaments' will decorate Christmas tree
      Staff reports Lee Tracy Companies, in conjunction with Portofino Boardwalk Merchants, is sponsoring a Beach Cleanup Saturday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. at the entrance of Fort Pickens Gate. Debris collected will be used to decorate the Boardwalk's "Beach Debris Christmas Tree" at the Shell.
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This week on Pensacola Beach
      Thursday, Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Lunch at Paddy O' Leary's, 2 p.m. Details: 916-9808. Saturday, Nov. 29 The Arthritis Foundations Jingle Bell Run 5K - 9:00 a.m. Pre-registration begins at 7:30 a.m. There will be costume contests and other family activities. Participants are encouraged to dress in holiday attire. Awards will be given after the race.
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'Season Your Holidays with Island Spirit'
Pensacola Beach holiday events start Dec. 1
      The Island whose first name is Santa is kicking of a season full of events designed to bring visitors to Pensacola Beach. After "Lighting up the Island" with twinkling lights and caroling on Saturday, Nov. 29, the event schedule begins Monday, Dec. 1.
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Holiday season lights up Saturday
      Pensacola Beach flips the switch on the holiday season with the Season Lights Up event at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Visitors Information Center. The event features a tree-lighting ceremony, tree decorating, candy and live holiday music. Caroling will be provided by the singing Sandpipers of Pensacola Beach Elementary School.
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Beach toll passes on sale now at SRIA
      All annual passes for the Bob Sikes Bridge will expire Wednesday, Dec. 31. There will be no January grace period in 2009. Senewal service of 2008 passes will continue through Wednesday, Dec. 31. Applications and instructional information are available at the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) office, 1 Via de Luna Dr.
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A small effort can produce big results when holiday decorating
Design Dude
Jon Fortuna
      The Holidays are upon us, and it's time to get the house ready to welcome family and friends. While we all have favorite pieces we've lovingly collected over the years, sometimes we feel the need for something new and different to compliment what we own or to use for a total change of pace.
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Arthritis Foundation 5K race on Pensacola Beach Saturday
      The Arthritis Foundation invites individuals and families to team up with their friends, co-workers and classmates to participate in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk Saturday, November 29 beginning at 9 a.m. at Pensacola Beach. The event on Pensacola Beach at the Gulfside Pavilion, welcomes runners, walkers and wheelchairs and includes a onemile fun run and a Santa Chase.
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