July 12, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – The Loris Police Department and North Strand Helping Hand (NSHH) are the recipients of surplus equipment donated by the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department. The Loris Police Department received eight surplus Motorola laptop computers and NSHH received 30 used bicycles.

The laptops were among those used in North Myrtle Beach Police cars over the past five years. The City’s Information Services Department has been replacing the laptops with newer Panasonic Toughbooks. The enhanced capacity of the new laptops enables public safety personnel to accomplish electronic accident reporting, e-ticketing and other work directly from their vehicles. Thus far, Toughbooks have been installed in 50 police cars and 14 fire vehicles.

The bicycles donated to North Strand Helping Hand were found in various locations around the city. Most were stolen and eventually abandoned. Most require repairs. The department makes every effort to place found bikes with their owners but some bikes are never claimed. The department is allowed by law to donate the unclaimed property to a 501(C)(3) entity.

The bikes will be repaired by North Strand Helping Hand and provided to children in need, or to adults in need who can use them for transportation.

Last year, the department donated 15 bicycles to Goodwill in North Myrtle Beach.
L-R Communications Technician & Jailer Michael Frye and Communications Technican & Lead Jailer Raymond Livingston

June 11, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC—CrazyLove Productions presents a family variety show at Alabama Theatre on Sunday, July 14, at 2pm. Proceeds from the concert will benefit North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum.

The concert will include an assortment of patriotic, jazz, rock, contemporary, and gospel music. The performance features singers who captivate; acrobats who defy gravity; and dancers who radiate precision and grace.

 “I am grateful to CrazyLove Productions and The Alabama Theatre for showcasing this amazing talent in a wonderful venue—all to raise money for our local Museum,” said Museum Director Jenean Todd.

Both CrazyLove Productions and The Alabama Theatre, as well as the performers and musicians in Lovin’ the Light are donating their services to bring this fundraising concert to the Grand Strand. Funds raised through sponsorships and ticket sales will be used by the Museum to develop educational programs for schoolchildren.

CrazyLove Productions and concert producers Amy and Kristof De Proft are excited to unite the talent of many performers in celebration of our community Museum. In addition to the De Profts, musicians and performers include: Garrett Brittain, Jeff Potter, Bill Hein, Claire Williams, Beth Holt, and students from the Academy of Dance and Fine Arts. WPDE’s chief meteorologist Ed Piotrowski will emcee the event.

Tickets for the fundraising concert are available now. If you would like to purchase by credit card, contact the Museum or visit the Museum’s website. Admission: Adult $20; Senior $15; Youth (up to age 12) $5.

Tickets outlets: North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum, 843.427.7668 North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, 843.281.2662 Little River Chamber of Commerce, 843.249.6604 Online at www.NMBmuseum.com.

The North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum opened in April 2013 after eight years of planning and construction. The 501(c)(3) charitable organization offers exhibits and programs related to the beaches and the surrounding communities. Located at 799 2nd Avenue North in North Myrtle Beach, the Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am until 4pm. Memberships are available. Admission: Adult $5; Senior, Military, Student $4; Youth age 5 to 17: $3. Members FREE.

Pictured left to right: Kristof  and Amy De Proft of CrazyLove Productions with North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley.  Museum board members Kathy Toavs and Sue Forrest, pictured in back, are seeking concert advertisers.

May 17, 2013 Little River, SC – A little waterfront community just a few miles north of North Myrtle Beach, SC has been holding a festival that draws a crowd that exceeds its 9,000 population by a factor of five and the 200 volunteers required to put it on will strain it’s resources. The two day World Famous Blue Crab Festival will bring 50,000 or more visitors to a 10 acre track along the oldest remaining operational fishing village in South Carolina.
 
This year’s event will showcase 250 food and specialty arts and crafts vendors, music and children activities.  As last year, seafood will only be available from the local waterfront restaurants – not from food vendors.   Still, festival-goers can get funnel cake, hot dogs, hoagies, BBQ and other foods they are accustomed to from outside food vendors.
 
However, to get that fresh caught right-right-out-of the Atlantic Ocean, the festival-goer does not have to leave the area. Embedded within the event boundaries are the seafood restaurants that are the favorites of North Myrtle Beach and other local residents – Patio’s Tiki Bar and Grill, Captain Jules’ Hurricane Restaurant, Fibbers on the Water, Crab Catchers, and Key West Crazy.  Select from their menus and enjoy oysters on the half shell, soft shell crabs sandwiches, shrimp and grits, grouper bites, seafood stew, popcorn shrimp, conch fritters or even gator bites.

Entertainment this year will feature multiple award winning Craig Woolard Band, Carolina Soul Band, Jim Quick and Coastline and The Fantastic Shakers.
 
With 50,000 people coming into the small community over two days, traffic and parking is always a challenge.  Festival organizers are doing everything possible to minimize the impact.  Last year saw a huge expansion of home and lot owners along Mineola Avenue and the side streets opening up for parking and that is expected to continue this year.  Horry County Police, Horry County Sherriff and the SC Highway Patrol will be on hand in larger numbers to keep the traffic flowing.

In addition, off area parking is available with shuttle service. The following locations will be providing free parking: Lowe's Foods Store at 2575 Highway 179, Hope Willard 701 Highway 17, River Hills Medical Plaza 4237 River Hills Drive and Collision Masters at 825 Highway 17.

Admission price is nominal - $5 per day at the gate.  Hours are 9 am to 6 pm each day. Grab you walking shoes and your appetite and visit one of the best festivals along the Grand Strand.  

For more information see http://www.bluecrabfestival.org/index.html.
 

April 30, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC - The North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market opens May 1 at 10:00 a.m. The market is located on 1st Avenue South, between the new North Myrtle Beach Library and City Hall. The market is open Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

The North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market offers local produce, fruits, baked goods, seafood, jams and jellies, plants and flowers, and artisan crafts.

The North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market is part of the Waccamaw Market Cooperative. The Waccamaw Market Cooperative is a nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating and managing community-based farmers markets throughout Horry County. Under the guidance of the Clemson Cooperative Extension, the cooperative has grown to include a regional network of markets sponsored in partnership with public and private organizations in locations throughout the county. This structured farmers market network ensures that virtually all communities in Horry County may benefit from access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and other commodities that farmers markets typically offer.

For more information on the North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market, please visit www.WaccamawMarkets.org. 

April 30, 2012 North Myrtle Beach, SC – On April 27, the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety held a Community Medicine Drop-Off Day in conjunction with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The event was the fourth for the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department and the sixth for the DEA. It provides an opportunity for people to remove unused and expired medicines from their homes in a safe, responsible manner.

About 120 people brought various controlled and legend drugs, and over the counter medications to the drop-off location in front of Walmart at 550 Highway 17 North in North Myrtle Beach.

A total of 59,428 dosage units were collected. That breaks down to 5,355 dosage units of controlled drugs; 50,896 dosage units/514 cc liquid dosage units of legend drugs; and 2,663 grams of powder-type drugs. For DEA reporting purposes, the weight of all medicines collected was 695 pounds.

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Officers Mathew Pasqurell and Ian Vaughn managed the drop-off location. As a courtesy during the drop-off event, the officers also offered to check child car seat installations and, when necessary, taught parents and grandparents to install them correctly.

Agent Pam Hucks with the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) assisted in verifying the pharmaceuticals that were dropped off, and she also estimated the count for DEA accountability purposes. The medications were verified, logged, and then deposited into the department’s National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators container. Immediately after the drop-off event, all collected medications were turned over to DEA for destruction.

The department offers a special thanks to Captain Poo’s Grill for providing lunch for the event and to Walmart for the use of its parking lot.

April 29, 2013 Atlantic Beach, SC -According to Linda Cheatham, Atlantic Beach acting Town Manager, the city will host a clean up day on saturday, May 4 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cheetham said, "Any one interested in helping out is welcome to join us."

April 25, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – The North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety will participate in the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s April 27 National Take Back Initiative by holding a Medicine Drop-Off event in the Walmart parking lot at 550 Highway 17 North in North Myrtle Beach. Public safety officers will be on hand April 27 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the parking lot to accept used and expired prescription, over-the-counter and other medicines.

The April 27 Medicine Drop-Off event offers an opportunity for people to remove unused and expired prescription and other medicines from their homes and drop them off with public safety personnel, who will properly dispose of the medicines. No questions will be asked of participants and no identification is required.

By removing unused or expired prescription medicines from their homes, participants can help to prevent accidental drug use by curious children or intentional experimental drug use by teens and adults.

Several previous Medicine Drop-Off events sponsored by the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department have resulted in the collection of over 111,000 doses of controlled, legend, and over-the-counter medications.

April 25, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – The North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety will hold a Junior Lifeguard Summer Camp in June for children ages 10-15.

The registration fee for the camp is $25. Registration will be held at the Beach Services Warehouse, 6th Avenue South. Call (843) 280-5684 for directions. The fee includes a North Myrtle Beach Junior Lifeguard hooded sweatshirt upon completion of the camp.

In order to qualify for the free camp, participants must be able to tread water for three minutes, swim 100 yards continuously using front crawl with rhythmic breathing, must attend all class to be eligible for graduation, and must be able to accomplish a 20 yard brick tow.

Participants will be trained in the following:

    Proper stroke mechanics
    Reaching, walking, throwing assists
    Caring for head, neck and back injuries
    How to escape a rip current
    Water safety
    Rescue board techniques
    CPR/AED
    First Aid
    Basic rescue skills

The camp schedule is as follows:

    June 15 – Qualification Test, 3:00 p.m., North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center
    June 17-19, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., 7th Avenue South Beachfront
    June 20, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., J. Bryan Floyd Community Center
    June 24-27, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., 7th Avenue South Beachfront
    June 29, Beach Clean Up (sponsored breakfast to follow)

At the end of the camp, participants will be American Red Cross certified in adult and child CPR.

Participants should bring goggles, bathing suit (a one-piece suit is recommended for female participants during aquatic activities), towel, extra change of clothes, swim cap, sunscreen, bottled water.

For more information, please contact North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Officer Monty Reed at (843) 503-6297.

April 24, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – North Myrtle Beach residents and visitors are asked to familiarize themselves with the course that the April 28 Divas Half Marathon will follow. Some residents and visitors who wish to access the course’s main routes in the early morning hours may have to select alternate routes until the race ends.

The half marathon begins at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 28 and has a three and one-half hour time limit. The 5K race begins at 7:20 am.

As they progress, the races will impact various parts of Ocean Boulevard, Hillside Drive, Main Street, 2nd Avenue North, 11th Avenue North, Highway 17 and 20th Avenue North. A map showing the half marathon course from start to finish in North Myrtle Beach is available for downloading from the Divas website at http://www.runlikeadiva.com.

Those who attend the following places of worship may also have to access them via alternate routes:
Trinity Methodist Church, Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, Barefoot Church, Lakeside Baptist
Church, King of Glory Lutheran Church, and St. Stephens Episcopal Church.

On the morning of April 28, Divas Half Marathon participants will be running along the main routes where these churches are located at about the following times:
Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
7:00 a.m.-7:35 a.m. – Participants should be running south on Ocean Boulevard.
7:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m. – Participants should be running north on Hillside Drive.
Trinity United Methodist Church
7:15 a.m.-8:00 a.m. – Half marathon participants should be running north on Hillside Drive and will be crossing 14th Avenue South.
Barefoot Church
7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. – Participants should be running up the westbound lane of Main Street and turning right on to Ye Olde Kings Highway.
Lakeside Baptist Church, King of Glory Lutheran Church, St. Stephens Episcopal Church
7:45 a.m.-9:45 a.m. – The westbound lane of 11th Avenue North will be closed to vehicle traffic. All runners should have cleared 11th Avenue North by 10:00 a.m.

The 2012 Divas Half Marathon was held on May 20 in North Myrtle Beach drew a sold out crowd of 4,400 women from 47 states. As of the end of March, registration for the April return of the Diva Half Marathon had already gone way beyond last year’s number, exceeding 5,350.

April 13, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – The Southeastern Wheelchair Sports Association (SWSA) in partnership with the North Myrtle Beach Courtesy of SWSAAquatic & Fitness Center will host the 19th Annual Southeastern Regional Wheelchair Games April 19-21.  SWSA is a regional club of the Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports, USA (WASUSA) which sets the rules and maintains records for sanctioned events. All athletes must be a member of WASUSA to compete in these Games.

The events will occur at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center, the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, and Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.  Thirty athletes from across the United States will compete in the event.  The public is invited and admission is free.

The events are fully sanctioned by WASUSA.

Friday, April 19
12:00 p.m. - Shooting (J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, 1030 Possum Trot Road,
North Myrtle Beach)
4:00 p.m. - Weight lifting (NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center, Second Avenue South,
North Myrtle Beach)
7:00 p.m. - Swimming (NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center)
 
Saturday, April 20
9:00 a.m. - Field Events at field behind Doug Shaw Stadium, 3205 North Oak Street,
Myrtle Beach
After Field Events - Archery on Field Events site
Sunday, April 21
8:00 a.m. – Track Events at field behind Doug Shaw Stadium

For more information, please contact Meet Director Melinda Chappell at (843) 997-7688.  Melinda Chappell is the North Myrtle Beach Aquatics and Fitness Director and serves as the Eastern Regional WASUSA Representative.

The Southeastern Wheelchair Sports Association has hosted the Southeastern Regional Wheelchair Games for persons with physical and visual disabilities for the past nineteen years.