Myrtle Beach

Mardi Gras Myrtle Beach Style!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Looking for something to do on Fat Tuesday? Don’t worry Myrtle Beach gets down Mardi Gras style! Restaurants at both Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach are holding Fat Tuesday parties today. Dick’s Last Resort at Barefoot Landing is holding their 20th Anniversary Platinum Celebration Annual Mardi Gras Parade! The parade starts at 5 and will snake its way around Barefoot Landing while people toss out beads and candy. The parade will end at Dick’s Last Resort where they will be having a Mardi Gras party. The event is approved for all-ages.

For a more adults only bash, Fat Tuesday, a nightclub at Broadway at the Beach, is hosting their annual Mardi Gras party. There will be a live broadcast by rock station WKZQ-FM 96.1 and all kinds of giveaways including a prize from Budweiser. Fat Tuesday’s Mardi Gras party has been an annual tradition since the club opened in mid-1990s.

So who’s partying for Mardi Gras?

photocredit: http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2012/02/mardi_gras_carnavale_in_miami.php

No Country Music Festival This Year

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It looks like Myrtle Beach won’t be getting a county music festival this year. In December, news broke that Country Thunder, Tennessee-based Production Company that currently puts on huge country music festivals in Arizona and Wisconsin, wanted to bring a country music festival to Myrtle Beach. Country Thunder had asked the Myrtle Beach Accommodations Tax Advisory Board for $200,000 for the first festival but the city council turned down their request last week.

Country Thunder wanted to hold the Myrtle Beach Festival in the former Myrtle Square Mall site with the event taking place the first weekend in May, before bike week takes over the town. Country Thunder’s festivals are normally 4 day events with a daily attendance of 40,000 people and they have booked country superstars Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Grammy Nominees the Band Perry, NC Native Kellie Pickler and Alan Jackson for their Florence, Arizona festival this year.

Kent Underwood, a representative for Country Thunder told us that the company is “hopeful in our discussions for a 2013 festival, and are continuing on with that goal. We think this festival would benefit the State, region and certainly Myrtle Beach on several levels and are encouraged in continued conversations with local stakeholders that would ensure a successful event for everyone.” Underwood also said that a grant from the Accomodations Tax Committee wasn't the best source for what they were proposing.

So who’s hoping for a 2013 country music festival?

Need a Family Friendly Vacation?

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Want a vacation the whole family will love? Stay at the Sand Dunes Resort and Spa in Myrtle Beach! They make vacationing with kids super easy. Not only are hotels rooms comfy and kid friendly, Sand Dunes has dozens of things to keep your kids entertained. There is an on-site water park complete with slides and a bucket dump sure to keep little kids happy for hours. For older kids, staying at any of the Sands Resorts get you free entrance to Wild Water and Wheels, one of the hottest water-parks in Myrtle Beach. Sand Dunes also features an arcade on the main floor complete with a snack shop, in case you need to kill some time or get a quick slice of pizza.

Parents need a vacation too, so the Sand Dunes make sure parents can get some rest and relaxation as well. From Memorial Day till Labor Day, Sands Resorts has a kid club so that parents can have some fun too. Parents simply have to sign their children (ages 5-12) up from 9-10 in the morning and take their children next door to Ocean Dunes Resort and Villas where a group of counselors will take care of the kids from 9-3. Parents can have the whole day to themselves to do whatever they want without worrying that their children will be bored. The kids club has activities planned all day like building sandcastles, tye-dying shirts and water balloon games- so the kids won’t even know their parents are gone! The kids club activities change daily which means kids can be dropped off at the kids club multiple days and will always have something new and fun to do!

All the Sands Resorts allow you to use their vacation lay-away plan, where you can pay for your vacation in three small payments rather than one lump payment; making vacation planning slightly easier on the pocketbook! If you think the Sand Dunes Resort and Spa is the right hotel for you or if you need more information check out their website or call 1-800-726-3783 for more information!

Swimsuit Shopping: Fun or Frustrating?

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

With March and Spring Break just days away, it’s time to thaw out your bathing suit and get ready to hit the beach! But is swimsuit shopping a fun shopping adventure or a frustrating chore?

Bathing suit shopping is the bane of my existence because it forces me to look at every imperfection in my body. I won’t lie; I try to put off bikini shopping to once every couple of years because I hate doing it. But one of the perks of living in Myrtle Beach year-round is that the beach is at my disposal daily and I would be remiss to not use it. So I spend a lot of time in my bikini, which makes it all the more important that I get the perfect one for my body type. So I’ve learned not to get frustrated if it takes some time to find the perfect swimsuit. Rome wasn’t built in a day and you probably won’t find the perfect suit in the first try either. But if you’re coming to visit and you still haven’t found the perfect bathing suit yet, let me suggest that you check out Evita Swimwear. They have an extensive collection of one-pieces and bikinis to flatter every girl’s shape.

So is bathing suit shopping fun or a hassle for you?

Is a Myrtle Beach Amusement Park Needed?

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

When people think of the glory days of Myrtle Beach, it’s normally thoughts of tanning on the beach, smelling the corndogs and fries from Peaches Corner, and taking a break from beach to ride the rides at the Pavilion amusement park. With the closure of the Pavilion in 2006, the question arises: does Myrtle Beach need an amusement park?

Long-time Myrtle Beach vacationers have always agreed that an amusement park was needed. Most of them want the Pavilion rebuilt so they can relive the glory days of Myrtle Beach. Obviously the owners of Hard Rock and later Freestyle Music Park felt like an amusement park was both needed and wanted in the Myrtle Beach area. But as the new owners of Freestyle Music Park, FPI LLC, have yet to find a backer for the park- it will remain closed for the 2012 season. “FPI still is confident the theme park could work under the right operator,” Franklin Daniels, the MB based lawyer, told the Sun News. FPI is still conducting interviews with perspective buyers hoping that the Amusement Park could reopen next year after three years of being closed.

With Myrtle Beach being without an amusement park for several years now, people are starting to wonder if an amusement park is really needed in the area. The vast majority of tourists come down to hit the beach and go shopping. Prior to the Pavilion’s final year, the amusement park wasn’t making enough money to cover operating costs. So does Myrtle Beach need an amusement park?

Photocredit: http://www.themeparkreview.com/south2006/mbp1.htm

Want to be on a Hit TV Show?

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Ever wanted to see yourself on television? How about on a hit TV show? Hit HBO show Eastbound & Down filmed their third season here last July. The show follows former Major League Baseball player Kenny Powers as he tries to climb his way back up to the top. In the third and final season of the show, Kenny Powers is back pitching for minor league baseball and he plays for the fictional Myrtle Beach Mermen. The show is expected to illustrate aspects of life in Myrtle Beach.

Apparently producers didn’t get all the shots they needed when they were here over the summer and into fall, so the film crews will be back on February 20th and 21st to do some follow up work and the show needs extras. No word yet if Danny Mcbride or Matthew McConaughey will be back to shoot follow up scenes. If you are interested in becoming an extra please check out Vanessa NCasting or Vanessa MBGame for more information.

So who’s ready to be on camera?

Ask Myrtle Beach: Bike Week

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Q . I want to come down for Myrtle Beach Bike week in May, when is it and where all the vendors going to be?

A. Bike week in Myrtle Beach is a huge attraction and thousands of bikers attend, but it’s actually not one week of events and more like a whole month of events. This year there will be three weeks of events according to the Sun News:

“The first weekend, May 10-14, is viewed as “the light weekend.” No vendor permits are allowed that weekend, but businesses that cater to motorcycle enthusiasts and riders will offer live performances and celebrity appearances; some hangouts will extend their hours with food and drink specials, indoor contests, giveaways and a classic car show.

The second week, May 15-20, is traditional Harley rally people have come to know. Businesses all around Horry County, from Little River to Murrells Inlet, will put on their big parties, according to Jamin Leather’s adjunct site, myrtlebeachrallies.com. This is when vendors will be allowed, and organizers plan new events as well. This weekend coincides with the Blue Crab Festival in Little River.

The third portion, May 18-28, will begin with the Cruisin’ The Coast kickoff on May 18. That will include charity events, bike runs and many other events.” This week also coincides with Atlantic City Bike week.

Vendors won’t be allowed to set-up show until May 15th and they often set up in three main areas:

Barefoot Landing
By Suck Bang Blow and the Beaver Bar in Murrells Inlet
HB Spokes in Little River

But if you drive up and down the Grand Strand, you will be likely to find other vendors scattered about. So where is your favorite place to hang out during Bike Week?

Myrtle Beach Gears Up for the Marathon!

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It’s time to lace up your sneakers and get ready to run. This weekend is the Bi-lo Myrtle Beach Marathon and this year it’s bigger than ever! Organizers of the marathon have increased the capacity for the race this year, allowing up to 10,000 runners to join in one of three different races. Right now over seven thousand runners have signed up for one of the three events but runners can register up until Friday, so those numbers might increase.

If you are not running in the marathon this year, you might want to leave early if you are going to travel around Myrtle Beach. The marathon is 26.2 miles long and since Myrtle Beach isn’t even 26.2 miles long, the runners are definitely going to be noticeable. The marathon is starting just above the intersection of 21st Avenue North and Grissom Parkway. The runners will run up Grissom Parkway, cut over and run down Ocean Boulevard before running through Market Common and back up Hwy 17 to the finish at BB&T Coastal Field. The marathon starts at 6:30 in the morning and is likely to end sometime around 2 pm, but event coordinators will be out as early as 4 in the morning setting up race stations. For more information check out our Events Page.

So are you running in the marathon?

Beloved Restaurant Burns Down

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Ashes are all that remain of a former seafood restaurant in Myrtle Beach. Around 9:30 pm Saturday night, the Seafare Restaurant building on restaurant row caught fire. By the time firefighters arrived, flames were shooting up through the roof of the restaurant. Over 15 fire trucks and engines were dispatched to the scene but could do little to save the restaurant as the high winds Saturday night made the fire even worse. The fire was so large it could be seen by drivers on Hwy 31 over a mile away.

After several hours the fire department managed to put out the fire before it spread to neighboring buildings, but the only thing that remains of the Seafare are ashes. No one was injured in the course of the fire, as the Seafare restaurant closed down last year. The building was up for lease and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

So did you ever eat at the Seafare? Why do you think the building burned down?

Photocredit: Horry County Fire Rescue

Pelicans Tickets on Sale

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Nothing is more American than baseball and the beach! And if you are looking to watch a little baseball at the beach, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans have you covered. Individual game tickets for their 2012 season went on sale online Friday at midnight, and will be available at BB&T Coastal Field box office starting Monday morning at 10 am. The Pelicans will open their season on Friday, April 6th, at 7:05 pm against the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

So who’s ready for a hot dog and some baseball?

Photocredit: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Facebook

County Police Chief Retires

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Horry County Police Chief Johnny Morgan announced Friday that he would be retiring after 41 years of law enforcement. Morgan, a graduate of Horry-Georgetown Technical College and the FBI Academy, has worked for Horry County for the last 38 years and even though he won’t officially retire until June 30th, his last day on the job will be February 19th. Morgan will be on extended leave, and Capt. Saundra Rhodes will be acting as Police Chief in the interim.

In a statement released by Morgan, he said “My whole life has been in law enforcement and these fine men and women that serve to protect our county are my family and I will miss them. It is a sad day, but on the other hand one I have been looking forward to.” Furthermore, He stated “I would like to thank the county for the many opportunities I have been afforded through my 38 years of employment with the Horry County Police Department. I am also grateful for a fulfilling career in which I was given every opportunity to make a difference in this great community.” Morgan is responsible for creating the HCPD’s homicide and SWAT units among others.

Photocredit: http://www2.scnow.com/news/grand-strand/2012/feb/10/5/sources-horry-county-police-chief-retire-ar-3208037/

Local Music Rocks: Doctrine of Ethos

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

As I walked into Revolutions Dance Club the atmosphere was quiet. It was the calm before the storm. Revolutions Dance Club is usually home to DJ’s, however on this night it would be the venue for a triple threat of hard hitting rock bands. The lineup included Doctrine of Ethos, The IZM and Confliction. Doctrine of Ethos opened the show with a bang.

Doctrine of Ethos is an original four-piece band out of Myrtle Beach, SC. Members include Natalie Roberts (vocals), Joe Meckley (bass), Corey Holden (drums) and Blake Graham (guitar). The band was formed two years ago by Joe and Corey when they “got stuck living together”. Both Joe and Corey had been in and out of multiple bands, and they came up with the idea for Doctrine of Ethos together. They enlisted Natalie to sing for them at their debut show, The Hard Rock Battle of the Bands, two years ago. At first Natalie was reluctant to commit to the band, because of school, but after performing with them everything fell together and she has been with them ever since. Blake is a relatively new addition to Doctrine of Ethos. The band has been through a few guitar players and found Blake just six months ago. Blake jokingly insists that, “they can’t get rid of me”.

These guys aren’t new to the game. Natalie started singing as a little girl. She comes from a self-proclaimed “musical family”, who even worked out harmonies together. Natalie sang in churches growing up, but that experience gave her the vocal strength she would need to someday front a heavy metal band. Blake began studying classical piano at the young age of five. He started playing guitar in high school and studied bass in college. Blake jokes, “If I’m a genius I’m a musical genius”. Joe began playing upright bass at the age of nine, and then switched over to electric bass. Corey has been playing percussion since the age of ten. He plays drums, marimba, vibes, steel drum and “all the cool stuff”.

Each of the members of Doctrine of Ethos are graduates of Coastal Carolina University. This afforded Joe and Blake the opportunity to study under Steve Bailey, a renowned bass player and influential figure in the field. All of the members have Bachelor’s degrees from Coastal Carolina. It is clear that the members of Doctrine of Ethos are all particularly skilled musicians. Joe plays a six string bass during shows. A standard bass has only four strings. When asked how many strings his guitar has Blake quips “seven, eight, I don’t know I lose count.” Perhaps Joe explains the skillful nature of the band best when he states, “ When playing this genre of music seven string guitars, six string basses, talented operatic voices and heavy tentacle stuff is really what captures our style”.

Doctrine of Ethos collectively writes all of their songs. Sometimes one member will come up with the lyrics and they will build the song around them. Other times it will start with the instrumentals. It simply depends on the song. The band members seem to quite respect each other, and they feed off of each other’s creativity. The band cites social change as inspiration for many of their songs. Joe explains, “Everybody’s struggling, everybody needs something to look forward to, so we hope that music will do for them what it does for us. It gives us hope. It gives us something to look forward to.”

Doctrine of Ethos has a unique sound. The contradiction between Natalie’s voice and the hard-hitting instrumentals is intriguing. It is surprising that her voice does not get lost in the background. There is something almost haunting about her voice as it rises over the unyielding force of bass, guitar and percussion. I particularly enjoy the song “Rise of the Machines”, which displays this fusion of soft and hard extremely well. “Dreams”, a new single just released by the band, shows Natalie’s vocal range and even throws a bit of jazz sound into the mix.

Doctrine of Ethos cites bands such as Tool, Mudvayne, Evanescence, Dream Theater and Slipknot as influential. Their influences are apparent, but not over-powering.

I asked if there was anything else that the band felt strongly about, and Joe replied first with “we need to bring the music scene back to Myrtle Beach.” Blake adds, “There’s a lot of talent here. People need to see it.” Natalie explains, “There are a lot of original bands around town, and there were a couple of venues, but they keep closing down.” The band hopes more venues will open up to bringing in regional acts.

Doctrine of Ethos is currently working on an album, and they hope to have it finished within the month. For more information about Doctrine of Ethos, show dates, and songs, visit reverbnation.com/doctrineofethos. Also visit them on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Doctrine of Ethos

Waccamaw Pottery Comes Back to Life

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Waccamaw Pottery on Hwy 501 used to be bustling with sales. It was once the nation’s third largest outlet shopping center with over 100 stores on 80 acres of land. On any given weekend the outlets would be packed and you could hear the cash registers ring from the parking lots. Unfortunately in 2001, amid stiff competition from the Tanger outlet stores and others, Waccamaw Pottery closed. But new investors from New Jersey are looking to bring the outlets back to life!

Investment group 3W LLC has bought the area for $7.5 million dollars and is intending to revive the area with new stores, restaurants and attractions. Property Manager Martin Durham told the Sun News “We will gradually bring this thing back to life. We are hoping to, over time, open everything back up.” Crews have already started cleaning up the area, pulling weeds and fixing windows. New stores can be open as early as this summer, but its likely going to take 1-2 years before the area is thriving again. Rumors are already swirling that the buildings are likely to be turned into casinos, although it’s still not legal to have casinos in South Carolina yet.

So what do you think should open in the buildings?

Photocredit: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/02/09/2650935/new-life-coming-to-former-waccamaw.html

Construction Started at Pavilion Site

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Adrenaline Adventures has started construction on their new zip line attraction being built at the old Pavilion site. Construction started last week and according to The Sun News the new “zipline would start in Family Kingdom, cross the swash and go-kart track, [and] then bring riders back to start point.” The entire trip would be about 800 feet round-trip and the rider would be going about 30-40 mph. Adrenaline Adventures is including a high-tech breaking system that will allow up to six riders on the zip line at once.

Adrenaline Adventures is expecting the construction to be finished in late March, with an expected open for the new zip line on April 1st. They are expected to hire between 60-80 people to run the course and work the offices.

So who wants to take a ride?

Photocredit: http://latimes.wehaa12.wehaaserver.com/article-457-adventures-in-paradise.html

Ask Myrtle Beach: Best Seafood?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Q. What’s the Best Seafood Restaurant in Myrtle Beach?

A. We get this question a lot, and when it comes to “best” it always really depends on personal preferences. So I consulted Urbanspoon and TripAdvisor to see what had the highest ratings, and low and behold, their lists and my lists were pretty similar.

If you are looking for fresh seafood (grilled or fried), authentic southern seafood favorites like shrimp and grits or crab cakes then we suggest:

If you are looking for an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, then we suggest:

I also asked the twitter population, they said:

So what's your favorite seafood restaurant in Myrtle Beach?

Blue Crab Festival Saved!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Little River and Blue Crab lovers have a reason to celebrate! The Little River Blue Crab festival, a long standing tradition in South Carolina, which was canceled for 2012 is officially back on! The Blue Crab Festival committee canceled the festival for 2012 while it looked into “issues such as [the] number of vendors the festival can accommodate, selection, placement and set up of vendors/exhibitors, vendor parking, entertainment, transportation and security.” The festival has grown considerably in size over the last couple years. More vendors have crowded the area making less parking available, in contrast to the increased number of festival attendees.

Horry County Councilman Harold Worley has made it his mission to save the Blue Crab Festival telling WPDE: “The Blue Crab Festival belongs to the people of Little River and Horry County and it's going to happen this year, 2012.” According to Worley a new committee has been set up to handle the Blue Crab Festival and they are just waiting on tax documents to arrive to introduce the committee. The festival will take place this year, its 31st in existence, from May 19th- 20th.

So who's ready to eat some crabs?

Photocredit: http://www.bluecrabfestival.org/

Is Myrtle Beach "Trashy?"

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Coedmagazine.com recently listed Myrtle Beach as the fifth “trashiest” spring break destination in the United States. But the magazine means “trashy” in a good way. The website bases its listing on things like how many Hooters restaurants, liquor stores, strip clubs, tattoo parlors are in the given area and whether or not the city has a bike week or has been on Girls Gone Wild. According to Coedmagazine.com, Myrtle Beach has 93 liquor stores, 11 strip clubs and 14 tattoo parlors. The listing also takes into account the cost of things in the town. But Coedmagazine.com considers “trashy” to be a good thing stating “in our minds, trashy = indecent and indecent = fun.”

Sure, if you are a hard partying college student on Spring Break all of these things plus the beach, warm weather and generally cheap city make for a very good a “trashy” spring break. But spring break and senior week tend to be pretty mild affairs here in Myrtle Beach. Frankly any big city, by a beach or not, is going to have all the same things. I wouldn’t consider Myrtle Beach trashy as much as it is fun.

So do you consider Myrtle Beach trashy?

Myrtle Beach Gets Another Baseball Team

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Love the Myrtle Beach Pelicans? Well Myrtle Beach is getting a second baseball team, on TV that is. Hit TV Show Eastbound & Down has set their upcoming third season in Myrtle Beach. The show follows former Major League Baseball player Kenny Powers as he tries to climb his way back up to the top. Season three, which premiers on Sunday February 19^th, has Kenny Powers playing minor league ball right here in Myrtle Beach but for the Myrtle Beach Mermen, not the Pelicans.

Fans of the show have already taken off with the Myrtle Beach Mermen theme, creating facebook pages and designing t-shirts. The show was here in Myrtle Beach early last July filming scenes and getting area shots to use in the TV show. They actually filmed scenes at BB&T Coastal Field, giving the Mermen an official looking feel.

So who’s getting a mermen t-shirt?

Super Bowl XLVI: Giants vs. Patriots

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It’s the first Sunday in February tomorrow which can mean only one thing, its Super Bowl Sunday! This year’s matchup is a rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl with the New York Giants taking on the New England Patriots; two well-loved teams with ferocious fan bases sparring off against each other.

The last time they met up at the Super Bowl, the Giants pulled out a huge win in a nail-biter game with wide-receiver Plaxico Burress making the game winning touch-down catch with 35 seconds left on the clock. The teams have changed slightly in the last 3 years, but the Giants are looking to have the same success this year.

The Patriots, on the other hand are looking to prove that 2008 was a fluke. Easily considered the best team in football right now, the Patriots are going to their fifth Super Bowl in ten years. They were the number one team in the AFC this year and they still harbor the sting of losing to the Giants the last time they were in the Super Bowl.

So who do you think is going to win: Giants or Patriots?

Photocredit:http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/sports/professional

Bodies Revealed Returns!

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Premier Exhibitions, Inc. is bringing back Bodies Revealed to Myrtle Beach for a second summer! Bodies Revealed is an exhibition that uses 14 human bodies’ specimens that are dissected to show organs and muscles to show how the human body works. Visitors get a unique view of the way their own bodies are operating.

The exhibit was so popular last summer in Myrtle Beach that Premier has decided to bring it back. Katherine Seymour, vice president of communications with Premier Exhibitions, Inc. said “After such a very successful run last year, we’re thrilled to bring the Bodies Revealed exhibit back to Myrtle Beach’s Broadway at the Beach.” The exhibit will be reopening June 2^nd and will run through Labor Day 2012 and is located on the northeast side of Broadway at the Beach and will be $14 for adults, $10 for children and children under 3 are free.

So who got to see the exhibit last year?

Photocredit: http://www.bodiesrevealed.com/

Myrtle Beach Does Dallas!

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Tourists and locals looking for a direct flight from Myrtle Beach to Texas have had their prayers answered. Spirit Airlines will be offering direct flights from the Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) starting in early may. Spirit Airlines is the largest airline at the Myrtle Beach Airport and has been expanding their direct flight options. In July, Delta Airlines will start having daily direct flights from Myrtle Beach to LaGuardia Airport in New York City. These two new direct flights should make it easier for tourists to hit the beach, and for locals to visit family and friends in the big cities.

So who’s hitching a flight to Dallas?

Ask Myrtle Beach: Hotels That Allow Under 25 to Check In

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

We at Myrtle-Beach.com often frequently get asked if there are hotels that allow people under the age of 25 to check-in. The answer is a resounding YES. Here is a quick listing of them:

18+ to check in

Days Inn Grand Strand

Red Roof Inn Market Common

Days Inn Beach Front

Westgate Myrtle Beach Resort

Days Inn Myrtle Beach

Comfort Suites Myrtle Beach

Anybody know any others that allow under 25 check-ins? What do you think of them?

Ready for Spring Break?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It might not officially be February until tomorrow, but its only one short month away from spring break. Most colleges in North and South Carolina have spring break in the first couple weeks of March, and the countdown has begun. With weather having been rather warm this winter, it already feels like spring in Myrtle Beach. By March, weather should be warm enough to hit the beach just in time for the influx of college students hitting town. With about 32 days left for North Carolina college students and 42 days for South Carolina college students, spring break can’t get here soon enough!

So what are your spring break plans?

Police Crackdown on Prostitution

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

When people think of Myrtle Beach, they usually conjure up images of pristine beaches, warm weather and a family friendly atmosphere. If Myrtle Beach Police have anything to do say about it, those images are going to stay that way.

Myrtle Beach police have been cracking down on what is considered a growing prostitution problem in the city. Already this year police have arrested and charged over ten people with prostitution- related crimes. In 2011, only 70 people were charged with crimes relating to prostitution. Prostitution seems to be the most prevalent by Chester and Flagg streets off Ocean Boulevard. Some people, however, don’t think prostitution is a problem here. Myrtle Beach Police Captain David Knipes told WMBF news, “"Some groups in society think it shouldn't be something we're wasting our time with.”

So should the police be concerned about this? Or is it not really a problem in Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach Landmark Reopens

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

In just a few short days a beloved Myrtle Beach landmark will once again be open to the public! Peaches Corner, a restaurant located on the corner of Ocean Boulevard and 9^th Avenue across from the former Pavilion site, has been closed down for the last couple weeks as the restaurant was undergoing renovations. This Friday, February 3^rd, Peaches Corner will reopen their newly remodeled restaurant.

Peaches Corner has been a cornerstone in downtown Myrtle Beach since its inception in 1937. The restaurant is named for the Peach family, who owned the restaurant from 1937 to 1943. It was bought in 1943 but the new owners decided to keep the name. The renovations for Peaches Corner include: replacing the old blinking carnival signs and the giant wooden peaches in favor of new neon-lit signs, resurfacing the roof, removing and replacing rotting wood flooring and railing and fixing drainage problems. They have also added a giant peach to their new blue marquee. The restaurant is planning a 75^th anniversary party set for sometime this spring as well.

So are you excited to see the new renovations?

Photocredit: http://www.facebook.com/PeachesCorner

Love Is In the Air

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, have you figured out what you are doing for it yet? If you are thinking romantic vacation getaway to the beach, we’ll then Sands Resort has got you covered. Sands is running a Valentine’s day package for the entire month of February! The package gets you a two night stay at a Sands property, three red roses, a bottle of champagne with gift glasses and their daily breakfast buffet. The Valentine’s Day package also includes 25% off spa treatments and products at Atlantis Spa and 50% off dinner entrees at Mango’s on the beach. If this is your kind of Valentine’s Day, you can call 877-469-7853.

So who’s ready for a Valentine’s Day stroll on the Beach?

Police Get Wet for Charity!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Horry County police department will be taking off their clothes for a very cold shower in February. The police are planning their annual polar bear plunge, where people run into the freezing cold ocean, for February 4^th at 2 p.m. The event is being held at the Springmaid Beach Pier and it will be 50 dollar for a plunge in the ocean, but there will also be events and food if people would just like to watch. Proceeds will be going to the S.C. Special Olympics, and more than 500 people are expected to take the plunge.

So are you ready to run into freezing cold water?

Photocredit:http://www.plungemn.org/lawenforcement

Coastal Uncorked Changes Location

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The third annual Coastal Uncorked food, wine and spirits festival is making some changes for 2012, including the location for its wine-tasting tents.

In the previous years, Coastal Uncorked has held all their events at Market Common. This year, however, they will be holding their main event- a beer and wine tasting- at the old Pavilion site. So now event-goers can sample wines right next to the beach! The event costs 30 dollars which includes tasting for all the beers and wines present. The event is being held on Friday, April 27^th from 3-7 pm and again on Saturday, April 28^th from 11 am -7 pm .

So who’s ready to sip wine next to the ocean?

Whose Coming to Sun Fun 2012?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It might not be until June, but Myrtle Beach is already gearing up for the Sun Fun Festival. The Sun Fun Festivals kicks off the beginning of season in Myrtle Beach typically starting on Memorial Day weekend and running the first week of June.

The festival includes fireworks, vendors, a beer garden, parades, arts and crafts and a slew of celebrities join the festivities. Last year Arizona Senator John McCain served as the grand marshal of the opening parade. Among last year’s celebrities were Jennette McCurdy, Ariana Grande, Noah and Ethan Munck; all of whom star in shows on Nickelodeon. There were also jet-ski demonstrations and a car show during the 2011 festival. American Idol season 7 runner-up, David Archuleta, headlined the Sun Fun kick-off concert. With that amount of stars in the area, it’s no wonder people are already excited for the 2012 year’s festival.

So what celebrities do you want to see at the festival?

Photocredit: http://huong4david.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/david-archuleta-at-mayfest-sun-fun-festival-myrtle-beach-sc-05-28-11/

Bike Weeks Takeover May

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Harley-Davidson bike week lovers are in for a treat! Contrary to popular belief, the dates for the spring bike rally have not changed. Instead the Spring Cruisin’ the Coast motorcycle rally is being extended to last for three weeks.

Late last week news broke that Harley-Davidson intended to hold the rally later in the month, from May 18^th-28^th. Bikers who had already booked their rooms from the May 11^th- 20^th were upset at change and many couldn’t change their plans this late in the game. Rest assured bikers, the dates have not been changed; Harley-Davidson bike week is going to last three weeks this year instead. There will be three weeks of rallies instead of two. Here is how the Sun News is breaking it down:

“• The first weekend, May 10-14, is viewed as “the light weekend.” No vendor permits are allowed that weekend, but businesses that cater to motorcycle enthusiasts and riders will offer live performances and celebrity appearances; some hangouts will extend their hours with food and drink specials, indoor contests, giveaways and a classic car show.

• The second week, May 15-20, is traditional Harley rally people have come to know. Businesses all around Horry County, from Little River to Murrells Inlet, will put on their big parties, according to Jamin Leather’s adjunct site, myrtlebeachrallies.com. This is when vendors will be allowed, and organizers plan new events as well. This weekend coincides with the Blue Crab Festival in Little River.

• The third portion, May 18-28, will begin with the Cruisin’ The Coast kickoff on May 18. That will include charity events, bike runs and many other events."**

Obviously the third week, which overlaps with Atlantic City Bike Week, Military Appreciation weekend and Memorial Day weekend, is going to be the busiest. But if you have already made plans for the original Harley week dates, rest assured you won’t be missing the rallies.

So YAY or NAY to an extension of bike week?

**http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/01/23/2618998/harley-davidson-rally-date-change.html

New Cruise Terminal to be Built

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Want to take a cruise ship out of South Carolina for the Caribbean? A new passenger cruise terminal to be built in Charleston will do just that. Carnival Cruise lines already has one year-round cruise ship, Fantasy, docking in Charleston. The new terminal, which is estimated to cost $35 million, would allow more cruise ships to use Charleston as a docking station. The port of Charleston is mostly used for bulk cargo and containerized goods, but the new terminal would be primarily for passenger cruises. The new terminal would mean a larger influx of tourists coming in and out of Charleston on a weekly basis.

Not everyone, however, is for the proposed terminal. A lawsuit has been filed with the South Carolina Supreme court arguing that the cruise liners are a public nuisance, violate city ordinances and essentially are illegal hotel operations. The lawsuit also argues that the passenger cruises disrupt the quiet historic city life of Charleston.

So would you take a cruise out of Charleston?

Do We Need a Better Boardwalk?

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is getting extended this year to make way for a new restaurant and a municipal park. The prime real estate is located around the 14^th avenue section of Ocean Boulevard, and construction crews are already tearing down the old hotels located on the premises. While a beach front restaurant is always a great thing to add, with that kind of real estate couldn’t something better be built there?

My family is from New Jersey and when I think of a boardwalk, I’m thinking more like Seaside Heights or Wildwood. They have huge boardwalks with tons of restaurants, arcades, amusement park rides, shopping and clubs. Myrtle Beach has much much prettier beaches than New Jersey, but their boardwalk leaves something to the imagination. Instead of a park that property could be used for a casino, arcade, clubs or new pavilion.

What would you build in that space?

Photocredit:http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-477776-wildwood_vacations-i

Parking Rates to Increase?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Love parking in downtown Myrtle Beach during the summer? You may have to pay more this year. The Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corp (DRC) is expected to ask for a 25 cent increase per hour for parking meters downtown at their meeting with the city council next week. This would bring the price to one dollar an hour for non-premium parking spots and $1.50 for premium spots, but would not affect parking garages. If the city council agrees to the increase, this would be the first across the board parking rates increase since 2004. The added revenue would go to aiding the DRC make improvement in downtown. The Myrtle Beach city council has often declined these requests in the past.

So should Myrtle Beach raise their parking rates?

Go Facebook Shopping!

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Love shopping for clothes but still want to chat with your friends? Have trouble finding a company’s website or using their shopping system? Blake & Brady in South Carolina is taking care of that problem for you. You can now buy all their hottest clothing and accessories right on Facebook! Facebook is becoming a platform for multiple uses, emarketer Analyst Krista Garcia argues “Instead of compartmentalizing daily routines, social media users are treating Facebook as a one-stop platform.” Social media was expected to do over $1 billion in sales in 2011.

Blake & Brady, which carries the hottest styles from Joy*Joy, Paige Denim, William Rast, Naughty Monkey and more, just launched an e-commerce store right on their Facebook page. Shoppers can now look for cute shoes and new jeans all while chatting with their friends. No more having to open multiple tabs to shop for clothes while you Facebook chat you’re your friends. No more internet browser crashing from having too many sites running. Facebook and Blake & Brady are making it a one-stop adventure. Furthermore, Blake & Brady is treating this like a whole new store; there will be online only exclusive merchandise you won’t be able to get in stores.

For loyal Blake & Brady fans the new e-commerce site is going to make online shopping a breeze. No more ordering through messages only to find out the store is out of a size or color. The new Facebook store will know what is in stock and tell a customer when they are about to sell-out of an item. Additionally, the e-commerce store has a more secure server meaning your credit card information is more secure from hackers.

Want to start shopping at Blake & Brady? It takes three easy steps:

1. Like Facebook.com/BlakeandBrady

2. Click on the shop tab in the left hand sidebar

3. Approve the application (this is what makes it more secure)

4. Then get shopping!

The Death of a Dog

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It’s been over 25 years and I still feel the weight of when I carried her in a large trash bag to bury in the back yard. Being a pastor I pretty much grieved alone because a pastor in a rural community should not grieve deeply over a pet. Eleven years of routines of a man and a dog are not buried easily. The sound of keys and doors opening, key words, the bounce of a tennis ball and a dog food can opening all form a rhythm in life easy to understand. On some slow afternoons, the dog eyes look into a man's eyes and the pleasure of just feeling understood is enough. Of course we know dogs are dogs and no more, but I have had dreams of seeing her running toward me all bright, gold and alive forever. With people we build great intricate but flimsy bridges with words and memories. But we say, “ I feel a little lonely today” to a dog and we get the same response as if we said, “Let’s take a hike.” But then what of the soft ears, the nose waking us up and the explosion of greetings each time we come home? As the Russian poet, Yevtushenko, once wrote:

You remember dog that a woman once lived here…She has gone.
You settle quickly. There will be no other women here.
My splendid dog, so good at everything:
What a pity it is you don’t drink.

Adam named the animals and loved them and suddenly felt alone. Despite the pure joy of the lovely creatures, there is that, “What a pity you don’t drink” There is that something more to understand, something more to say and to hear deeply. There is no animal that can complete the circle of speaking and hearing. Where there is a home where the dog is the center of love, it is because the hearts have closed. Adam went on hoping for that something more and saw Eve. The glory of speaking and listening and knowing and being known began to blaze in his heart. She was almost just like him and that “almost” was deep and wonderful. The slight difference was more wonderful. And yet, as deep as relationships are between lovers, friends, fathers and sons, there is something not quite enough. There is a “what a pity” with the deepest of human relationships, like a dropped stone that never reaches the bottom of a well. Our hearts yearn for something more. As the eyes of a dog look up to his master, my eyes look up the Lord.

Over 25 years have past and maybe I loved the dog too much. "Yeller" attended most of my classes at the University of Virginia and Yale Divinity School where she received a diploma, Titulumque Canem Fidelem Admisimus. To this day, Yeller is the only dog to have a Yale diploma. She hitched out west with me, taught school with me in Arizona and New Orleans, and pastored with me in Allentown, New Jersey, where she is buried. Maybe I loved her too much, but love is like a point on the trail when you decide to go back or go on. It can awaken the heart to long to love more and forever, or the heart can say, “That’s it. No more.” So in times when we hurt from the end of whatever relationship, we can say, “There must be more. I am longing for more and forevermore.” We all have been hurt, burned, jilted and forgotten in different degrees but how we respond is where grace comes in.

The heart can expand and believe that there is someone quiet behind the stars and speaking in the scars. I think He is coming with my dog.

By Andrew McMillan

New Helmet Law for South Carolina?

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Bikers have been coming to Myrtle Beach and South Carolina for decades, as the state’s warm weather and lack of a mandatory helmet laws have always been to the bikers liking. Under the current laws, motorcycle riders under the age of 21 have to wear a helmet. Now a new bill in the state legislature would make wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle mandatory for all ages. According to the Center for Disease Control, wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle reduces the risk of head injury by 69%. Yet other statistics argue that if the motorcyclist is going over 40 mph, that a helmet won’t help them at all in the event of a crash.

The city of Myrtle Beach passed a mandatory helmet law in 2008, as a way to gain control over the bike rallies that frequent the area. But the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the law in 2010 because it was superseded by a state law. The Myrtle Beach bike rallies have dwindled because of the former law and bikers have vowed not to come back if the new law were to get passed. S.C. Governor Nikki Haley told a crowd of cheering bikers that she intends to veto the law if it reaches her desk.

So should wearing a helmet be mandatory or is it a biker’s right not to wear one?

Barefoot Swing Bridge Reopens!

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

After being closed for just under two months, the Barefoot Swing Bridge is set to reopen one lane of traffic today! The bridge was closed to all traffic on November 28^th so that the bridge could be cleaned and repainted. The Swing Bridge connects Barefoot Landing with Barefoot Resorts and Golf on the other side of the intra-coastal waterway. The bridge was originally built across the Albemarle River outside of Edenton, North Carolina in 1938. It was moved to the Barefoot Landing area in March of 2000. One lane of traffic is set to resume January 17^th between one and three in the afternoon. The other lane of the bridge is set to reopen sometime in early February after workers have replaced some steel plates located beneath the road that have eroded.

Locals and some tourists have complained about the timing of the road closing, but frankly there would have never been a good time to close the bridge without it inconveniencing someone. People living on the west side of the Barefoot Swing Bridge have had to take a winding route via Water Tower Road to get back to Hwy 17, while the bridge was under repair.

Are you excited for the bridge to be reopened? Or do you think they should build a new bridge in the area?

Myrtle Beach Airport Gets New Options

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Myrtle Beach airport is getting a few new upgrades in the coming years. The airport is currently under construction as a new terminal is being built that is supposed to house seven new airport gates.

Furthermore, Divine Dining Group is building two new restaurants in the same terminal. Divine Dining owns and operates several local restaurants in the Grand Strand area including River City Café and Ultimate California Pizza. They will be putting a brand new Nacho Hippo and a Bubba’s Fish Shack in the new expanded airport. Both restaurants already have loyal followings at their current locations in Market Common and Surfside Beach respectively, and aren’t likely to close when the airport locations open. The airport is also going to be adding a Dunkin Donuts and Steak N Shake to the new terminal, giving hungry tourists and locals the chance to eat during layovers or before leaving the airport.

So what kind of food do you want before a flight?

2012 Coastal Uncorked Tickets on Sale!

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Love food, wine and spirits? Coastal Uncorked is already selling tickets for their 2012 festival. Coastal Uncorked is a week-long festival which includes events like spirits and beer dinners, oceanfront grand tasting tents, a chef’s challenge and a restaurant week. The event is running from April 22-29 this year and tickets are already available at their websites. Attendees to the festival can sample food and wine from participating Market Common restaurants on Thursday, April 26^th. Local chefs will be battle it out in a food competition called the “The Chef’s Challenge and Tasting Finale” that concludes the festival. Last year, Southern TV Chef Paula Deen was in attendance for the festivities.

So who’s getting tickets?

Hit TV Show Comes to Myrtle Beach

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Have a bunch of old stuff lying around in your attic that your great-grandmother left you? Want to know if it’s worth any money? Well here is your chance! Antiques Roadshow, the hit PBS series, will be in Myrtle Beach this June filming three episodes for its next season.

It’s unclear where the show will be setting up in Myrtle Beach, but it will likely be using the convention center, as that is where they set up in most cities. Tickets to the event are free but you have to fill out an application on the shows website to enter into a lottery to win them. Around 6,000 people will win tickets, but Antiques Roadshow says it’s impossible to say what the chances of winning a ticket are, because it’s unclear how many people will enter the raffle. If you’d like to submit a piece of furniture to have appraised, you must live within 50 miles of Myrtle Beach and fill out a form on their website.

So who has old junk lying around their house?

Local Band Goes Big!

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Lovers of the local Myrtle Beach music scene have another reason to cheer! After a four-year hiatus, local rock band Confliction has gotten back together and is releasing a new album. The bands fourth album, Parade the Serpent, features Confliction's standard hard rock hooks that made them so popular, but with more grown-up subjects. They’re still the band that toured alongside Seether and System of a Down, but in the seven years since their last CD released, they have grown up, gotten married and had children and it shows in their music.

Not only is the band releasing a new CD which will be available on I-Tunes on Friday, January 13^th, they are having a CD release party right here in town. Confliction will be playing this Friday at Revolutions Night Club at Broadway at the Beach. 21 and up get in free and guests 18-20 have to pay a 10 dollar cover which will also get the a copy of Confliction's new CD. Local Myrtle Beach Bands Doctrine of Ethos and The Izm will be opening up for them.

So who's your favorite rock band?

Photocredit: http://www.facebook.com/therealconfliction?sk=photos

Myrtle Beach loses a great local

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

What makes someone a good friend?

On late Monday afternoon, Myrtle Beach lost a royal local and everyone's best friend.

Mark McDandel's family owned a Myrtle Beach Hotel in the 1960's. In the 50s and 60s, his father, Don, was president at one of the most established banks in the area and gave many of today's leading business owners their first loans.

Mark was best known nationally for surfing, because he was world class. He surfed on the U.S. Olympic team and was regarded as one of the best on the East Coast.

Mark and I were in business together for several years through some good times and some super tough times, so I know what it means to have a good friend. I am sure that I aged Mark more than almost any other person on the planet with some decisions I made.

BUT Mark was my friend through thick and thin, even at periods I wasn't being a good friend for him because of choices I made. Always forgiving, always loving...I have found that true of him from everyone he knew.

He was an awesome husband and a nurturing father as well. He could have taught seminars on how to love those close to you, but he preferred to simply live those values out.

Mark is what we locals call, "Old Myrtle Beach".

To sum him up best, in the mid 1990's, he found me in my office crying because I discovered that our business was quite short on cash and unlikely to succeed. He quietly closed the door and pulled a chair close to mine. Looking up, I heard him say, "David, one day we will both look back on this day, laugh nervously and quickly change the subject." That was Mark.

I am going to miss his loving hugs and his big HEEYYY MANNN that welcomed me in and made the whole world feel safe.

Mark loved God and personally knew Christ. I hope he is one of the first people I run into on the other side.

Love you man - David

Mark Ewing McDandel - A true friend

New Bike Week in the Works

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Even though Myrtle Beach bike week isn’t for another five months, the state is already gearing up for the influx of bikers. Even thought the amount of bikers coming to the Grand Strand has diminished over the last few years, the spring rally is still one of the biggest events in town. Hundreds of bikers from all over the country come to Myrtle Beach to soak up the sand, surf and have fun with their fellow bikers.

This year Florence is getting in on the action. They are holding what they call “Myrtle Beach Bike Week West” at the Florence Civic Center. They are holding the event in early March, so that bikers have the opportunity to hit both the Myrtle Beach event in May and the Florence event in March. The Florence event is expected to have over a 100 vendors including vintage displays, seminars, live entertainment, and drag bike displays among other activities and vendors.

So is another bike week a good idea for South Carolina, or is one bike week one too many?

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Gets Extended

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The boardwalk in Myrtle Beach is getting an upgrade! Coastal Dining and Entertainment LLC is looking to develop three lots on 14^th avenue at Ocean Boulevard, which will extend the boardwalk about two blocks north. Construction is getting underway there today, as crews are demolishing the old Breakwater Inn that currently is located on the lots. Police have the northbound lane of Ocean Boulevard closed in the 14^th-15^th avenue blocks while the crews are working.

Among the upgrades planned for the area, is a new Mexican restaurant that is set to look like a Spanish-style hacienda. Coastal Dining and Entertainment is hoping to have the new restaurant open in time for Cinco de Mayo. Also proposed for that area is a new municipal park. Locals and tourists have expressed concern with the Myrtle Beach boardwalk, envisioning it to look more like the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ than its current incarnation.

So what do you think they should build on the boardwalk?

Magic Happens in Myrtle Beach

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

We might not have Siegfried and Roy, but Myrtle Beach has its own brand of magic. This weekend hosts the third annual “Magic at the Beach” convention. The convention starts Thursday at the Ocean Dunes Resort and Villas in Myrtle Beach and will run for four days. Dozens of magicians from across the country will be in Myrtle Beach to hone their craft.

On Saturday, the magicians will be hosting a “Champions of Magic 2012” performance at Carolina Opry. The event starts at 7:30 and the is bound to be a magical good time. Magicians performing include Jay Mattioli, last seen levitating Jerry Springer on America’s Got Talent, French juggler Xavier Mortimer, Gregory Wilson and Jeff McBride among others. Tickets to the performance are 25 dollars for twelve and under and $30 for thirteen and up, but you have to call to differentiate for children's tickets. For more information or to get tickets check out their website at championsofmagicshow.com.

So what’s your favorite magic trick?

Spring Is In the Air

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It might not officially be spring for another 70 days, but it certainly feels that way in Myrtle Beach! With temperatures hovering in the upper 60s for the next week or so, it feels like a gorgeous spring day here! Except for the cold spell that made Myrtle Beach feel like the arctic last week, temperatures have been running about 12 degrees higher than average this year, making it a fairly warm winter.

Myrtle Beach locals seem to love it too. More golfers have been populating the putting greens in the last week. Tons of people have been hitting the beach every morning to take a run. Even I’ve been taking my dogs on longer walks trying to bask in the warm sunshine and cool breeze of spring air, even though it’s January. Honey bees have been seen buzzing around my apartment complex, a sure sign that spring is in fact in the air. All signs point to spring being right around the corner.

So are you ready for spring weather?

Candidates Invade Myrtle Beach

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

All eyes are going to turn toward Myrtle Beach in the next week and a half, as the Republican presidential candidates are heading to the Grand Strand. Fox News is hosting a Republican presidential candidate debate at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Monday January 16^th. South Carolina is a Republican strong-hold, having voted Republican in every presidential election since 1980.

Several Republican candidates have already headed to the Palmetto State. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was in Conway, just a few miles away from Myrtle Beach, giving a speech at a peanut warehouse. Romney recently won the Iowa Caucasus in a narrow vote, defeating Rick Santorum by just eight votes. He has also picked up the endorsement of both South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Arizona Senator John McCain. Santorum, a former Pennsylvanian senator, is heading to Greenville, South Carolina on Sunday. Santorum is currently planning a rally a restaurant there. Candidate Rick Perry is also headed to South Carolina on Sunday, and more candidates are likely to follow.

So are you ready for Republican fever to hit Myrtle Beach?

Photo by the Associate Press at Mitt Romney's campaign stop in Conway, South Carolina on Friday.

Myrtle Beach Dancers Make Record Books

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

North Myrtle Beach dancers are going into the Guinness Record Books! Last September, a group of shaggers organized the “Largest Carolina Shag Dance” at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatics & Fitness Center. Organizers of the event received an email from Guinness this week confirming they would go into the record book. 744 shag dancers showed up for the event, more than three times the number required to make the record.

News broke just in time for the shaggers winter event, which kicks off next week in North Myrtle Beach. Leftover T-shirts and photos from the record-setting event will be sold at the S.O.S. Company Store. So have you ever shagged?

Photocredit by dancefervercharlotte at 2006 Junior SOS shag dance event in North Myrtle Beach https://picasaweb.google.com/dancefevercharlotte/2006JuniorSOS

Want to Win a Myrtle Beach Vacation?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Everybody loves a free trip to the beach right? Well that’s what we want to give to you!

It’s a brand new year and we are looking forward to all the changes 2012 can bring. 2011 brought a ton of new things to Myrtle Beach. We got the Skywheel in downtown. Wonderworks and half a dozen new restaurants opened up at Broadway at the Beach. Swashbuckling pirates took over for charging Southerners when Dixie Stampede became Pirates Voyage. With the standard set high by 2011, we can only hope 2012 can live up to its potential.

One of the things we would never change is the amazing tourists who flock to our town every year. You guys make Myrtle Beach summers fun, exciting and a little crazy. So we want to give you guys a reward for being the best fans a town could have! Leave us a comment at the bottom of this article: tell us a memory, share your favorite spot in Myrtle Beach, tell us why you want to come to Myrtle Beach, or just say you want a free vacation (doesn’t everybody?). When we reach 200 comments, we will draw a name to win a free 3 day stay in Myrtle Beach this spring!

So what do you have to say?

And They're Off...

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The starting pistol has been fired, and the GOP nomination race for Election 2012 is now officially in full swing. Yesterday, the Iowa Caucus, the nation's yearly first Republican electoral contest, gave a good indication as to the shape this year's race will take. Or at least, what shape it will take on the surface. Behind the scenes, there is one thing at the center of the GOP leadership's collective mind: defeating President Barack Obama. While that is indeed a lofty and noble pursuit, I worry that it will result in a candidate who does not necessarily measure up to what this country truly needs. In short, it's just the usual politics.

To recap the results of the caucus, for those who've not had a chance to see them, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (image right) and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum (image left) were neck-in-neck with 25% of the vote, Romney only surpassing Santorum by a mere eight votes. Texas Congressman Ron Paul came in third with 21% of the vote. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Former Texas Governor Rick Perry came in a distant fourth and fifth with 13% and 10%, respectively. Rounding out the contenders were Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann with 5% (and who should probably adhere to the old adage, "A lady always knows when to leave") and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman with 1% (leading me to believe he certainly knows when to leave).

From Iowa, it's on to the first Republican primary in New Hampshire, where Romney almost certainly has the biggest advantage. For one thing, New Hampshire has a much less socially conservative voter base than Iowa, which will go against the race's two most socially conservative candidates, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul (Rick Perry is a staunch social conservative also, but does he really have a chance anymore?). For another, it's rich New England territory and Romney's adopted home state. A Southern, blue-collar man like Santorum and a "crazy Texan" like Paul really have very little chance in New England. Still, it's far from over.

I think the writing's on the wall, though. As good as a truly conservative candidate would be for the GOP right now, as I mentioned earlier, the current aim is to unseat Obama, and the only one with enough political clout to do this is the more moderate Mitt Romney. And for my part, I think this is a slippery slope for the GOP to take. Romney is good at talking like a conservative, and indeed, his career has shifted farther to the right, particularly in recent years, but again, the GOP is only looking at his ability to beat Obama. And Romney is a rich man and lifelong politician, groomed by his father, former Michigan Governor George Romney. Can someone like him connect to the vast majority of the American people?

Unseating Obama is an aim that I think can only weaken the GOP. As paradoxical as that sounds, I beg you to look to the 2004 Presidential Election. The Democratic Party was desperate to beat George W. Bush, and ended up nominating John Kerry, who was likely the weakest viable Democrat out of the potential candidates that year. As expected by anyone with any knowledge of politics, President Bush easily defeated Kerry and was reelected for a second term. From that point on, the Democratic Party has been divided on the best way to battle Republicans. And division is akin to weakness. Let's be honest: Obama wasn't elected because of any real Democratic strength, but because of the weakness of the Republicans in nominating John McCain. The GOP is still divided, and even more so. Tea Parties, Constitutionalists, etc. have all come under the Republican umbrella, but none of them can agree with the others. Therefore, the energies that should be devoted to battling Democratic governance is instead used up fighting amongst themselves. Unseating an incumbent president is difficult under the best conditions. The best - and only - way to go about it is to unite behind a common goal, one that doesn't make the party seem as petty as the Democrats were in 2004. Conservatism is the most obvious banner behind which the GOP should rally, yet true conservatism is shunned. I feel that Mitt Romney is viewed less as a true conservative leader, and more as the least offensive to liberals and moderates. I don't personally have anything against Romney, but I'd prefer a candidate whose principles are a little clearer.

It's going to be an interesting election year. Here's hoping the right choices are made.

Image Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel, left image, Reuters/Rick Wilking