April 25, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – May is a busy (and noisy) month in North Myrtle Beach.  In the early part of May (from the 13th through the 19th) the local Harley Davidson Dealers host a bike festival named ‘Cruising the Coast.’  Organizers say ‘Cruising’ will attract approximately 250,000 bikers spread throughout the Grand Strand.

Giving time only to draw breath, the City of Atlantic Beach will host Atlantic Beach Bike Week from May 24 through May 27.  In the not so distant past, 200 to 300 thousand bikers would visit Atlantic Beach over the long Memorial Day weekend.  Sherry Shuttles, Atlantic Beach Historical Society says in her book ‘Atlantic Beach; Images of America,’ that attendance reached 400,000 in the last decade. While attendance has slowed down since then, the biker traffic still puts a strain on the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department.
 
The .2 square mile area of Atlantic Beach is entirely located within the municipal boundaries of North Myrtle Beach placing most of the impact of Bikefest on the much larger city.
 
To get ready for this year’s events, North Myrtle Beach Public Safety requested and received agreements of support for crowd and traffic control from Horry County and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) as they have in the past.  In addition, this year Public Safety reached out to 124 law enforcement agencies within SC.  Nine responded they could provide assistance.  The Town of Bowman Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson Police Department, Conway Police Department, Dillon Police Department, Mauldin Police Department and the North Charleston Police Department will all provide police assistance.

April 4, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Just a few short months after new sports complex opens in 2014, around 300 young girls will converge on the facility to compete to become either the Dixie Softball Angels or the Dixie Softball Ponytails World Series Champions.
Courtesy of SC Dixie Softball 
They will be members of 24 teams that competed throughout the season, climbing the ladder from local, to regional to state winners. They will arrive on a Friday in August, compete for five days and two teams will be crowned World Series champions.
 
Dixie Softball, Inc. (DSI), sanctions the event and the competition leading up to the World Series. DSI is a youth softball program for girls eighteen (18) years of age and younger, playing on a scaled-down diamond to meet the physical development of the growing child. The main purpose of the program is to provide a recreation outlet for as many as possible with emphasis on local league play rather than tournament play.

“Obie” Evans founded Dixie Softball in 1968.  Evans said, “Dixie Softball teams are in the Sunbelt from Virginia to Texas and has thousands of girls enrolled.”  Using South Carolina as an example, Evans explained, “SC has over 100 leagues, each league will have an average of twenty teams and each team will have 12 members.”  Just in SC alone, 24,000 girls will be members of Dixie Softball.
 
DSI also offers $1,500 college scholarships.  Local scholarship winners were Kelsey Elizabeth Morgan of Conway, and Emily Caroline Almond of Pawleys Island.  Morgan played in the Conway Recreation League and is a senior at Conway Christian School. Almond participated in the Waccamaw Youth Softball Association and is a senior at Waccamaw High School.
 

April 18, 2013 – Do you know these two young people?  The FBI has named them as suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing.  If you know them call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

More photos can be seen at on the FBI website.

April 17, 2013  North Myrtle Beach, SC – According to Gas Buddy.com, 2013 Easter weekend gas prices were 30 cents per gallon lower than the comparable period last year. Gas Buddy analyst Patrick DeHaan said, “Each penny per gallon translates into about $3.6 million per day in cost differences based on typical demand numbers. Hence,[during the Easter Holidays] consumers are saving about $108 million each day when current costs are compared to last year.”

Although Easter’s gap was a whopping 30 cents, the comparison by quarter was significant but not as large. For the first quarter 2013 the average price, compiled by GasBuddy, at $3.548 gal was 3.6 cents less that the first quarter of 2012. Using DeHaan’s formula, consumers saved $13 million per day compared with last year, giving drivers a $1.17 billion bonus for the entire first quarter of 2013.  
As recently as 2009, the first quarter gasoline price averaged under $1.90 gal, so these are still stiff numbers when compared with 21st century historical values. Ten years ago, U.S. gasoline prices averaged under $1.59 gal for the same period.

Where is the cheapest gas in the U.S.?  Well it turns out to be South Carolina at $3.257 per gallon compared to a nationwide average of $3.511.  Neighboring states, Georgia averages $3.347 and North Carolina comes in at $3.475.  Within South Carolina, the Grand Strand’s average at $3.275 is significantly above Greenville where gas averages $3.194.

For the most economical trip to North Myrtle Beach use the Gas Buddy.com trip planner at http://www.southcarolinagasprices.com/TripCalculator.aspx . 

April 15, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Just as members of the SC legislature are considering expanding the rights of gun owners to include open carry and reduce the places guns are prohibited, gun owners in New York face a new law that went into effect today.  New York gun owners must register assault-type weapons — any rifle or handgun that is semiautomatic and has at least one of ten additional features — as a condition of owning them. The NY law also limits the number of rounds per magazine to seven. Though a 10 round magazine is permissible, it may only contain 7 rounds. New York does not recognize concealed carry permits issued by any other state, and non-residents are generally forbidden from obtaining a New York State permit.

South Carolina, however, has minimal restrictions on the type of gun its residents may own.   SC has no “assault weapon” ban or magazine capacity restriction but does prohibit the possession of automatic firearms, short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles.  It is one of six states plus the District of Columbia that expressly bars the open carrying of a firearm. The others states are Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois and New York.

South Carolina is a South Carolina is a "shall issue" concealed carry permit state. Any person can receive a conceal permit subject to passing a FBI background check to confirm he/she is not a felon. No permit is required to purchase rifles, shotguns, or handguns. South Carolina also has "Castle Doctrine" legal protection of the use of deadly force against intruders into one's home, business, or car. It is unlawful to carry a firearm onto private or public school property, in any facility that serves alcohol or into any publicly owned building except interstate rest areas without express permission. Open carry is not allowed, but no permit is required to carry a loaded handgun in the console or glove compartment of a car.

State Sen. Lee Bright (R-Spartanburg) has filed S. 115: The South Carolina Constitutional Carry Act of 2013, a bill that would make South Carolina the fifth state in the country to assert the legal permit-less right to carry. At this time Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming already allow residents to carry a firearm without a permit.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will be considering S. 115 as a subcommittee report at their meeting on Tuesday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m., in Room 308 of the Gressette Building in Columbia.

Current law prohibits concealed weapons to be carried in restaurants or places that serve alcohol. S. 276, S. 308, H. 3053 would remove that prohibition.

April 10, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC –  On Monday, the Weather Channel released its 2013 hurricane forecast calling for an above average active season.  The forecast is for the period beginning June 1 and ending on November 30.

The Weather Channel predicts 16 named storms, of which 9 will be hurricanes, of which 5 will be major hurricanes category 3 or greater.  

These forecast numbers are above the annual average of 12.1 tropical storms, of which 6.4 are hurricanes and 2.7 are major hurricanes reaching at least Category 3 strength.  The Weather Channel notes that this average is derived from records dating back to 1950 and, in their release, emphasized that the average for the current active era from 1995-2012 is higher - 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes.

The Weather Channel has been producing hurricane seasonal forecasts for the Atlantic Ocean since 2006.

Forecasters at Colorado State University released their Atlantic hurricane forecast for the 2013 season yesterday, calling for 18 tropical storms, 9 of which will be hurricanes.

The Colorado State forecast says of the 9 predicted hurricanes, 4 would be major hurricanes - Categories 3, 4 or 5 - with sustained wind speeds of 111 mph or greater.
 
Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project has been issuing seasonal forecasts since 1984.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be issuing its hurricane forecast in May.

The number of named storms and hurricanes in both forecasts closely track the actual 2012 hurricane season with 19 named storms and ten hurricanes.  However, both forecasts are calling for more major hurricanes.  Last season only saw two that were category 3 or greater – Michael, a category 3 that never reached land, and Sandy, a category 3 that devastated the northeast.
 
The damage from Hurricane Sandy was most severe in New Jersey, with 346,000 housing units damaged or destroyed, and New York where 305,000 homes destroyed. Overall, 147 fatalities were attributed to Sandy. The damage resulted in losses in the United States ranging from $50 billion to $71.4 billion.

 

April 8, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – In most areas of the country, talking trash means insulting your kith and kin, but not in Horry Courtesy of SWACounty.  Here it means ‘flow control’ – a shorthand title for a county ordinance that mandates that all trash collected in Horry County be deposited in the Horry County Solid Waste Authority Land fill.

The ordinance, passed in 2009, has generated a huge debate, with detractors saying it created a quasigovernmental monopoly and is anticompetitive while supporters say ‘flow control’ is required to help pay for recycling, hazardous waste programs, the county’s integrated emergency 911 service and ensure landfill areas are monitored and maintained for decades even after they are closed.
 
Waste Management Inc. and Republic Services, two of the country’s biggest garbage companies, are supporting a bill (H.3290) reintroduced this year in the SC Legislature that would invalidate Horry County’s ‘flow control’ ordinance.

Horry County Councilman Harold Worley recently wrote in an op-ed piece published in the Sun News, “The two major corporations pushing Horry County Councilman Harold Worleythe bill each have greater cash flows than the state of South Carolina’s entire budget!”

While Horry County is the only entity in SC that has a ‘flow control’ ordinance, the S.C. Association of Counties have weighed in on the fight advising members that a bill to negate ‘flow control’ “cripples public solid waste programs, which will ultimately lead to their forced takeover by large out-of-state waste companies.”

The South Carolina chapter of the Sierra Club has encouraged their members to support ‘flow control’ and oppose the passage of House Bill 3290 advising it would be disastrous for local environments, conservation efforts, local economies, and even county bond ratings. They are concerned because this bill seeks to strip local government and its citizens of any ability to control how solid waste is disposed of in its own backyard. They also warn that passage of this legislation would set a precedent that the General Assembly could nullify an ordinance enacted by locally elected body acting within the scope of its authority.

The issue is dividing Horry County’s own delegation to the Statehouse. Some Grand Strand lawmakers like Rep. Nelson Hardwick, Rep. Alan Clemmons (R-Myrtle Beach), and Rep. Liston Barfield (R-Aynor) support the bill. Others such as Rep. George Hearn (R-Conway) have been more restrained in their support.

Why you should care.
 
Despite the rhetoric, the issue is about money.  Recycling, management of hazardous waste and other programs have been funded by tipping fees (charges to those depositing waste). But about twelve years ago, large haulers came into the county and began to move waste to their own or private landfills.

‘Flow Control’ advocates argue that if the movement of waste out of Horry County had continued, taxpayers would have had to pick up the burden of the $2.5+ million 911 system, recycling and funding the costs of maintaining landfills for decades after they are closed.

Councilman Worley added, “If this legislation [H.3290] passes, the taxpayers and the state would be sued by bondholders who financed solid waste facilities with the assurance of the waste being directed there. I’m sure the big national solid waste companies, who already control 74 percent of the waste in this state, and who already have 68 percent of the permitted landfill capacity, would swoop in and save the day by purchasing these distressed, publicly-financed facilities at a prime discount. We are not afraid to call this what it is. It is a takeover of public investments by profit-driven corporations.”

“One of these takeovers is on display for any of us who pass the stinking mountain of out-of-state garbage near Bishopville on I-20. This formerly county-owned facility is quite the opposite of what Horry County has in its backyard, and this tourist-gagging sight exists because of one reason: money,” points out Councilman Worley.


The Horry County Solid Waste Authority receives an average of 700 tons of household waste each day.
 

April 7, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – After 8 years of planning and work, local resident and former Mayor, Dick Hester saw his dream come true.  The North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum ceremoniously open its doors to the public today with speeches by local notables, presentation of the flag, prayers, music and, of course, the traditional ribbon cutting.

Hundreds of people attended the ceremony and afterwards were able to tour the facility, listening to a collection of over 160 oral history interviews and view historical pictures from the collections of 300 or so donors.
 
Mayor Marilyn Hatley led the speakers commenting on the hard work all the volunteers had undertake to get to this opening day.  She congratulated Dick Hester in particular.  In addition to Mayor Hatley, attendees heard from State Senator Greg Hembree, Representative Tracy Edge, Rick Elliott on behalf of his father, former Senator Dick Elliott and Harold Worley, Horry County Councilman.  Upon his turn to County Councilman Harold Worleyspeak, Councilman Worley took the opportunity on behalf of Horry County Government to present the Museum a check for $10,000.
 
The museum has two galleries visitors explored. One is a long term gallery highlighting various aspects of the region’s history such as natural history, beach culture, area history, leisure activities and, of course, lots of information on the shag dance; the other gallery will feature shorter term items tied to specific seasonal interests.

Leadership considers the scope of the geographic area that will be documented will be the northeast region of coastal South Carolina—from the SC/NC line, south to Barefoot Resort, and west to Longs.

April 3, 2013 North Myrtle Beach/Little River, SC.  CrossFit North Myrtle Beach and Reebok Outlet are teaming up to introduce CrossFit to the local community.

Recently Bob Harper, The Biggest Loser Trainer, gave the general public a glimpse of what CrossFit is all about on this season of The Biggest Loser. Since becoming a follower of the high intensity, functional movement philosophy of CrossFit, Harper started incorporating CrossFit workouts into the popular weight loss competition during season 13.

CrossFit has been around for several years now and has attracted hundreds of thousands of people to their unique approach the fitness.

Less like a gym and more like a family, CrossFitters do what the call Work Out Of the Days or WODs, in which a variety of weight lifting, body weight movement and cardio exercises are used in short, intense workouts. The WODs are either timed or done as long as you can and a score is given. The members compete against each other and more importantly, themselves.

"The competitive nature of our workouts help people to do things they never thought possible because they push themselves to be the best they can and always do better" says Darrin Jacques, co-owner of CrossFit North Myrtle Beach. "It is easy to get comfortable and complacent in a normal gym, but with CrossFit, everyday is different. One day you may be doing kettlebell swings and the next day deadlifts" adds Joel Bates, co-owner of CrossFit North Myrtle Beach.

So who is a good person to do CrossFit? "Anyone" says Jacques, "people always say to me that they need to get in shape in order to do CrossFit, but the truth is CrossFit is what gets you in shape. Our workouts are designed to help you function in daily life, it's functional fitness. So it doesn't matter if you're fresh out of the military or a grandmother. We have members of all ages."

Want to find out more about CrossFit? CrossFit North Myrtle Beach has teamed up with The Reebok Outlet at Tanger, 10835 Kings Road, Myrtle Beach off Hwy 22. On April 6th from 9am-4pm CrossFit members will offer the public a glimpse of what CrossFit is all about. They will be there to demonstrate their workouts, answer questions and give out information.

CrossFit North Myrtle Beach is located in Little River at 383 Strand Industrial Drive. Joel Bates or Darrin Jacques can be reached at (843) 560-6188.

April 1, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – April is a big month for North Myrtle Beach.  

CrossFit and ReeboK Fitness Demo

April 3, 2013 North Myrtle Beach/Little River, SC.  CrossFit North Myrtle Beach and Reebok Outlet are teaming up to introduce CrossFit to the local community.

Want to find out more about CrossFit? CrossFit North Myrtle Beach has teamed up with The Reebok Outlet at Tanger, 10835 Kings Road, Myrtle Beach off Hwy 22. On April 6th from 9am-4pm CrossFit members will offer the public a glimpse of what CrossFit is all about. They will be there to demonstrate their workouts, answer questions and give out information.

CrossFit North Myrtle Beach is located in Little River at 383 Strand Industrial Drive. Joel Bates or Darrin Jacques can be reached at (843) 560-6188.

North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum Opening

The old Horry County Library building at 799 2nd Avenue North has been converted to be the home for the North Myrtle Beach Historical museum.  Museum officials will hold a grand opening on April 7 featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Marilyn Hatley and local officials, a concert by the Rockin’ SamSonics band playing classic beach, country, and rock n' roll.  Refreshments will be provided by Carolina Quench makers of soft frozen flavored lemonade of Little River. The festivities will begin at 1 pm.

Museum officials will also hold a preview party on Saturday, April 6 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tickets for this event are $15 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and can participate in a silent auction to help raise funds.
 
SOS Spring Safari

Held this year from April 12 through April 21, the SOS Spring Safari brings to North Myrtle Beach Main Street and Ocean Drive clubs tens of thousands of Shag aficionados attracted to the night life.

Billed as the biggest adult party on the east coast, the event provides an early kick off for the summer tourist season and injection of much needed cash to the Strand.  Ron Whisenant, SOS President, said, “Coastal Carolina University did an impact study for us in 2007 that showed SOS brought in over $7.5 Million to the area over the ten day period.”

For the past nineteen years, Spring Safari ends with a much-see event! Member clubs plan, design and build parade floats for fun and a chance to win awards. The organization sets a theme – The Year of the Book – for this event and clubs compete for the most original float, best shag theme, best shagging troop and best club vehicle.
 
The parade will begin at 1 pm on Main Street, April 20th and features hundreds of units. Plan on bringing chairs because the parade will last at least two hours. And get there early as the Spring Safari Parade always draws one of the largest crowds of the year – mainly because of the hilarious and sometimes outrageous costumes.