"We don't care!...what our needs are, we care about yours."

For over 20 years, this statement has come to symbolize Jeff Drake's dedicated focus on Drake Financial clients. Drake's commitment for a long-term process of a dynamic financial planning process starts with matching investment strategies with clients' short-term and long-term goals. Not stopping there, Drake involves clients in regular monitoring and reevaluation of investments as goals change and opportunities emerge.

Drake involves his clients in understanding the impact of changing market conditions on their investment plans with the tools, services, and research essential to aid them in the management of their future financial health.

Offering a range of investments that allow for market growth balanced with stock market, bond and inflation variables, Drake Financial helps clients meet their vision for their future. One of Drake's key points is, "We help you make wise decisions to ensure your money is doing what you want it to." Drake Financial Group is an independent company; this allows them to offer the right investment from a complete range of opportunities to match clients' needs.

Jeff Drake wants people to know, "we understand the market is in turmoil but, we're not. We allow people to invest with confidence." With Drake Financial Group, clients can feel secure knowing, "Drake Financial does not gamble with their money."

SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 ATLANTIC BEACH, SC - Margaret Owens,Director, announced today that the North Strand Helping Hand (NSHH) will be hosting a mass food distribution in Atlantic Beach for the first 200 individuals in need of food. In addition to food items, household linens and other services will be available.  The food distribution, which will be held in conjunction with the DreamFest, is hosted by Barefoot Church, Celebrate Recovery, North Strand Helping Hand, and the Lowcountry Food Bank.  

When:    Saturday, September 4, 2010 beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Where:    Atlantic Beach Community Center on 32nd Ave. S in Atlantic Beach

Beachwood Golf Club is NOT a host course for the World Amateur Handicap Tournament annually held here in the Myrtle Beach area this coming week. We know tee times can be a little difficult to find with so many courses hosting the tournament, so look no further!

The golf course is in good condition, we're conveniently located right on Highway 17 in the heart of North Myrtle Beach and if that's not enough, 18 holes including cart and all taxes and fees is just $27 before 9:30AM and only $16 anytime after, all week long! Call us now at 272-6168 to reserve your spot as the tee sheet will be filling up fast.

If you're booking online simply put "Am Week Spec" in the comment box to ensure that your group gets this special rate at check-in. Also, if you have any questions or reservations pertaining to online booking, read our credit card policy for all your answers.

For more information please visit

AUGUST 29, 2010 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC - North Myrtle Beach Online.com Editor Jim Hulen and Operations Manager Terry Walden along with WRNN Steve Porter joined the WMNB news team to discuss the pro's and con's of the one-cent tourism development fee for North Myrtle Beach and an update on former Public Safety Director William Bailey.

Long Bay Club HouseUpon entering the course the first “wow” you get is the look of the club house. It looks similar to Independence Hall in Philadelphia. A second “wow” is the bronze statue of Jack Nicklaus who designed the course. Go ahead and get you picture taken at the statue it is a fine memento. A Nicklaus-designed course is your clue to bring your best game with an added dose of patience. You simply cannot overpower this course.

I asked the golf pro how best to play this and he stressed keeping the ball in the fairway is more important than most courses because the roughs are thick and lush and will grab your club head harshly. I was constantly in a dilemma try to figure out which club to use when in the rough. I needed a wood for the distance but the iron was better getting out of the rough.
One of the many bunkers at Long Bay
Yeah! The rescue club was passed around when a decision could not be made.   The pro also suggested careful shot selection, getting the ball in good position for your next shot is better than hitting out of the many bunkers that abound on the course. You may even hit off the “cart path” on occasion as the waste bunkers are “cart paths” on # 4, 16, and 10. Speaking of number 10, the best photographic view of this signature hole of Long Bay Club is on the cover of the score card. Keep the score card as another momentum.  On number 10, man-made mounds and waste bunker that surrounds the fairway and protects the hole just gotta be played to be appreciated. It is a hole to write home about.

AUGUST 27, 2010 CONWAY, SC - Two new directors have been named at Coastal Carolina University: Amanda Craddock has been named to the position of Director of Undergraduate Enrollment, and Gregory Thornburg has been named to the position of Director of Financial Aid.

Craddock will be responsible for the University’s efforts to attract, recruit and enroll an undergraduate student body. She joined the CCU staff in 2008 as the director of enrollment events and later served as interim director of undergraduate enrollment.

Craddock was previously a senior assistant dean of admissions at the University of Mary Washington. She earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in history from University of Mary Washington.

Thornburg will be responsible for establishing and interpreting financial aid policies and awarding institutional, state, federal and external aid. He has 27 years of experience in the financial aid, enrollment and student services areas.

Thornburg was interim dean of financial aid and admissions at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., and dean of enrollment/financial aid at Arkansas State University.

Thornburg earned a master’s degree in counseling and student personnel services at the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s degree in music from Johnson Bible College.

AUGUST 27, 2010 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety is requesting the public’s assistance in helping identify a suspect in an incident that took place in the early morning hours on Tuesday, Aug. 24. The incident, a criminal sexual conduct, took place around 4 a.m. on the beachfront near 1717 S. Ocean Blvd. in North Myrtle Beach.
 Composite drawing of suspect
The subject is described as a six-foot-tall white male approximately 26-29 years old with light brown hair and weighing approximately 185 lbs. He was described as having crooked bottom teeth and wearing a dark-colored Polo-style shirt with a white T-shirt underneath and tan-colored, cargo-style shorts. The subject also wore a silver metal watch with a large round face piece and had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and body.

Anyone with information on this crime or subject should call North Myrtle Beach Detective J.W. McGartlin at (843) 280-5506. 

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Police in North Myrtle Beach have arrested an 18-year-old in connection to the hit and run death of a New Hampshire woman on Aug. 17.

Derek Anthony Stanley II, 18, of Shallotte, was arrested and charged Thursday afternoon with hit and run with death involved, according to North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Nicole Aiello.                      

Investigators allege Stanley is connected to the death of Corissa Irvin, 21, of New Hampshire.

Irvin died of internal injuries after she was struck by a vehicle in an area near Ocean Creek Drive and US-17 in North Myrtle Beach. Police believe Irvin was walking along the road when she was hit between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.

Officials said Irvin was working in North Myrtle Beach at a business in Barefoot Landing for the summer.

Stanley has been booked into the North Myrtle Beach Jail, where he was granted a $15,000 bond. Aiello said the charge of hit and run with death involved carries a penalty of 1-25 years in jail and a $10,000 to $25,000 fine.