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Day: February 19, 2019

Spring Enchanted Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler

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Spring Enchanted Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler Nothing says spring like a harvest of fresh rhubarb. And nothing ushers in the season quite as well as the welcome aroma of a freshly baked strawberry-rhubarb cobbler.  Cobbler is an unpretentious, down-to-earth, rustic dessert. And as it’s virtually impossible to mess up either in looks or taste, it gives any first-time home bakers, no matter their age, confidence and delight.  This one is succulent— with a butter rich crust, and agave syrup instead of sugar to inspire any spring health kicks marinating on the sidelines.  The option of a lavender infusion adds lovely floral notes that go especially well with the mix. Serve it with honey for added sweetness and lavender-rose tea.    Crust Ingredients ¾ cup all purpose flour ½ cup almond meal 2 Tbs granulated sugar 1 ½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp sea salt 1 stick butter ¼ cup lavender infused milk (or regular milk, instructions to follow) 1 Tbs dried lavender 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract Filling Ingredients 4 cups fresh rhubarb, washed, and chopped 2 cups of fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced 1 tsp orange zest 1 tsp ground cinnamon ⅓ cup agave syrup Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and set aside.  In a small saucepan, scald the milk (heating just until almost boiling, but not quite). Remove from the heat; add the dried lavender and cover. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Allow milk to cool completely.  In a large bowl, mix the filling ingredients together and let sit for 20-30 minutes to bring out the juices.  In another large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt together. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or your fingers. Add the lavender infused milk, the egg, and the vanilla extract, and mix until just incorporated.  Pour the filling into the baking dish and spoon the topping over it. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar if desired.   Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Infinity Hair Salon

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We Have a Chair Waiting For You by Melissa LaScaleia Infinity Hair Salon in Myrtle Beach is part of three full service hair salons along the Grand Strand owned by Joyce Myers and her husband.  The other two are Hair Etc. in Surfside Beach; and Hair Trends in Murrells Inlet. This February, Infinity Hair Salon, the youngest of the group, celebrated their one year anniversary.  “We started in the hair business about twenty-three years ago,” says Joyce. “And we moved here from upstate New York about twenty-five years ago.  “We used to vacation in Myrtle Beach for years, and eventually decided we wanted to move someplace warmer. When we had an opportunity to start a career in the hair business, we decided to take it.  Infinity Hair Salon — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We have very talented stylists at our salons. Because we live hair, we stay current with all of the newest trends and specialized services that are available— like smoothing and straightening services.  “Beach living is beautiful, but it takes a heavy toll on your hair. You need to protect it from the sand, sun and salt water. There’s an excess of wind and humidity that your hair is exposed to constantly.”  A lot of people relocate to Myrtle Beach, or come for a short stay, and don’t realize the effect the climate has on their hair, nor how to manage their hair optimally in this new environment. That’s what Joyce and her stylists focus on with their clients.  “Our stylists are committed to continuing their education, striving to always grow their skills and stay updated on current trends,” Joyce says. “At our salons, we try to listen to our clients’ wants and needs, along with sharing our ideas, in order to find the style that not only makes them feel their best, but is easy to maintain.”  Part of Joyce’s mission is to build lasting relationships with clients, and with the community that she’s in as well.  All of the stylists at Infinity are committed to continuing their education to enhance their skills and stay up-to-date on trends. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We’ve recently held donation drives at Infinity Salon to help our vulnerable populations, youth,  and local animal shelters,” Joyce continues. “We try to do things in our community— to invest in those relationships in our communities. Our philosophy at our salons is: be your best, feel your best, and do your best.”  Each of the three salons has a slightly different personality— the culture influenced by that area of the Grand Strand where it’s located, as well as the clientele that patronize it. Every salon offers services for all ages, from children to seniors.  Each salon has a slightly different vibe depending on its location on the Grand Strand. Above, Infinity. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I just love seeing some of the makeovers that the stylists do and how it makes people so happy,” Joyce says. “People come in and they’re having a bad day or a bad week and they can get a haircut or a color and it perks them right up.  “During the winter months, we see a lot of snowbirds who return every year because they love our stylists. This is what makes me happy— building relationships with people.”  Infinity Hair Salon 3630 Walton Drive, Unit A1 Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 843-839-1211 www.infinityhairsalonmyrtlebeach.com Facebook @ Infinity Hair Salon Myrtle Beach

Carolina Energy Conservation

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Powering Home Comfort by Melissa LaScaleia “I’ve always had a passion for energy conservation as well as solar energy,” says Jeff Thompson, the owner of Carolina Energy Conservation. “I saw a need to create ways that we can save money in operating our homes, be more comfortable, and live happier lives.”  Jeff began his career by conducting educational seminars on home energy efficiency strategies that were applicable to house designs in the South. He went on to get a BPI, Building Performance Institute certification, to learn what the standards were from the best resource available. He and his employees continue their training to this day.  BPI approaches energy efficiency as a whole-house system, and examines how all the factors affecting efficiency— like insulation, attic, lighting, doors, windows, vents, and garage spaces— are functioning together. Jeff fuses this aspect of his business with solar installation, repair, and maintenance.  “One of the things we really pride ourselves on is providing the right solutions for our clients that would best serve them,” Jeff says. “There are a lot of different ways to help people make their home more efficient. We look at a home as a whole, and look at conservation in terms of making your home more sustainable and seal-tight energy-wise.”  Because of the high cost of solar panels, conducting energy efficiency improvements first can save homeowners considerable money. They will need less power to run their home after the improvements, and therefore, less solar panels installed. Yet most solar companies don’t offer this service.  “We have equipment that no other contractor has,” Jeff says. “Including things like blower door tests and infrared camera tests that enable us to pinpoint exactly where and how much air is leaking in a house. That’s important because when you’re heating or cooling a house, the air that’s leaking will be replaced by either your heating or your air conditioning system. We go over the house and seal those areas to make your home as efficient as it can be, then we conduct a solar analysis to determine the number of panels you need.  “Call us for an energy assessment and we’ll take care of that first. If you want to install solar, we’ll speak to you about that as well.”  Damaged or fallen insulation in your crawlspace can leave your home exposed to the harshness of the environment causing inconsistent temperatures and cold floors in the winter. On the right, a vapor barrier has been installed to line the floor and separate the home from the earth below. — Photo Carolina Energy Conservation Jeff exclusively uses solar panels by Sunpower. They have a life expectancy of 40+ years; come with a 25 year warranty; and have a 25 year manufacturer warranty for labor, maintenance and any other issues that may arise— meaning if anything goes awry during that time, Sunpower will pay to repair it.  If you have a problem and the company that installed the panels is no longer in business, the manufacturer will send another company to repair them free of charge.  “This is the only company in the industry that offers this type of warranty,” Jeff says. “They are the best panels you can buy.”  Jeff understands the importance firsthand of having dealings with a reputable solar panel company. Many of his customers call him because they are having problems with faulty installations executed by companies in other states, or companies that have gone out of business.   Carolina Energy Conservation’s multi-step approach to customer service is designed to ensure complete satisfaction for their clients every step of the way. They are consistently ranked highly in terms of service, and have won Solar Contractor of the Year for the past four years. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Carolina Energy Conservation has been a part of Santee Cooper’s Trade Ally Program for more than five years; and earned the top spot on their Trade Ally List (a list of contractors Santee Cooper recommends) for insulation, three years in a row when Santee Cooper was offering that list.  They also won the Solar Contractor of the Year for the past four years with Santee Cooper’s Trade Ally List for solar, as well as their insulation award multiple times.  “We’re big on customer focus,” Jeff says. “We have a multi-step process called ‘wow service.’ It’s a customer focused approach from how we deal with the customer from the initial call; to the energy consultant that goes out to see them; to the production crew that goes out to visit them to do the work; to the follow-up call after the work is done.  We have customer satisfaction surveys and we are consistently ranked very highly. We ensure complete satisfaction every step of the way, and are there for our clients even once the job is done.”  Carolina Energy Conservation 9516 Hwy 707 Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 843-748-0295 www.carolinaec.com Facebook @ Carolina Energy Conservation

Coastal Highland Games

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Bringing a Celebration of Celtic Culture Back to Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia For the past few years, the Saltwater Highland Games were a hugely popular festival held annually every March in Myrtle Beach. This year, the organizers chose not to host the event. That’s when N.S. Promotions & Events stepped up to the plate, and from the ashes of old memories decided to create something new— The Coastal Highland Games.     N.S. Promos was formed by the owners of Native Sons Screenprint & Embroidery and Festival Promotions—two Myrtle Beach businesses with a strong history of community involvement.  Since 1984, Native Sons Screenprinting & Embroidery has helped thousands of businesses build their brand throughout the Carolinas. The owner, Steve Taylor, has lived in Myrtle Beach his entire life and has always wanted to give back to the community through organizing fun events like the Salt Games—a one-of-a-kind beach competition and festival featuring surfing, volleyball and more. Mike Shank, owner of Festival Promotions, has been organizing events and races in the Grand Strand area for over a decade with successful endeavors such as the Myrtle Beach Turkey Trot and Oktoberfest.  With Festival Promotion’s event management capabilities, and the marketing resources of Native Sons, this past year, Taylor and Shank decided to form a brand-new company: N.S. Promotions & Events—N.S. Promos for short. With over thirty years of combined community involvement, president of operations, Chris Trout, and marketing director, PJ Bernacki, handle day-to-day tasks for N.S. Promos, and are eager to bring the Highland Games to Myrtle Beach.  The Highland Games. — Photo Laura Suarez “As a team, N.S. Promos has always loved the event,” says PJ. “We saw the opportunity to reintroduce this festival to Myrtle Beach once we heard that the former organizers no longer had plans to continue the event.”  The Highland Games originated in Scotland in the 800s, when people held competitions of might to see who was strong enough to be the head of the clan. It was also a way for clan leaders to compete for the title of most powerful clan.  A clan is a large family group related by blood and marriage, but other members joined for protection or survival; others because they supported a leader in the clan and wanted to stand behind him. Clans had their own laws and customs, and were tightly bound together by their loyalty and pride.  Traditionally, there was one member from each clan competing in the games on a large playing field. The families of each contestant would erect tents around the field, which acted as a gathering spot for the entire clan to mingle and enjoy the entertainment while also watching their hero during the competition.  Over time, they evolved into more of a festival— and offered food, music, competitions, and community— and a celebration of Scottish, Celtic, and Gaelic heritage.  The sport part of the games is comprised of a series of individual feats in which competitors measure their skills against one another. The most well known, and almost symbolic of the games is the caber toss, in which a telephone pole is thrown end over end.  There are seven different contests in total—some others include the shot put, the weight throw, and the sheaf throw— in which competitors use a pitchfork to pick up a burlap sack filled with sand and fling it; he who covers the longest distance wins.  “Our event will be a series of games of strength and endurance surrounded by a festival that honors the Celtic culture of the entire region, with an emphasis on Scottish culture,” PJ says.  Caber toss at the Ceres Highland Games. — Photo Ajna Reflections A lot of local chapters of Scottish clans dating back to the 1000s, as well as local chapters of associations from England and Ireland, will be there to set up booths and educate the public about their heritage.  “Each clan has their own tartan—a plaid pattern that they display proudly and is specific to them,” PJ says. “Anybody who has served in the military, police, Navy, and Air Force also have their own tartan, and they will be represented in the opening and closing ceremonies.”  This year’s festival will have bagpipes, marching bands, and drums. They will also have sheep herding demonstrations with border collies, and a kid’s area called the Kid’s Glen.  The glen will feature a petting zoo, playing area, inflatables, face-painting, and pony rides. Knights from the local Medieval Times will be there wielding swords and teaching children the art of sword fighting.  There will be Celtic and Scottish themed live music, as well as acoustic guitar and bagpipes playing on stage throughout the day with some Celtic dance performances.  Vendors, mostly from North and South Carolina, will be in attendance selling authentic Celtic jewelry and art. And, of course, there will be plenty of food trucks including Scottish themed cuisine—local craft and clothing vendors, and adult beverages from Highland Brewery.  The caber toss at the Highland Games. — Photo Ally Middleton “We reached out to local people who had been involved in the games previously for support,” PJ says. “Just like years past, the Southeastern Highland Athletic Group (S.H.A.G.) will help run the athletic portion of the games.  “We have two title sponsors of the event: Palmetto Primary Care Physicians and Surgical Care Affiliates.  With their help, we were able to recruit international pros to come and compete in the event.”  There are also multiple men’s and women’s amateur divisions, and people from the community are invited to sign up to compete. The live music and athletic competitions will begin at 8am; the opening ceremony and procession with representation of the clans and military will occur at 10:30am.  “The Highland Games have always been a success in Myrtle Beach,” PJ says. “The Market Common venue had 10,000 people at their event two years ago, so we anticipate this festival being huge.”  In keeping with the celebration of Scottish culture, N.S. Promos is hosting a Scotch Whisky Tasting event at Atlas Tap House the evening before the event. It will be … Read more

Will Parker Law, LLC

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Practicing Law in a Personal Way by Melissa LaScaleia Will Parker established Will Parker Law, LLC in December 2017 to serve the needs of accident victims and those facing criminal charges on the Grand Strand.  He worked under several prominent attorneys since graduating the University of South Carolina and passing the Bar Exam in 2006.     “But in my heart, I just felt God calling me to something bigger,” he says. “I felt like there was something else out there and that I had to take a chance in order to take ahold of it. I knew if I had the faith, then it would work. I had a one-year old daughter at the time, and I desired the freedom to spend more time with my family.”  Will helped with the marketing and other business aspects of the prior law firms he worked for and enjoyed both the law and the business side.  “I have always had a business sense in my blood,” he says in speaking about how he took steps to branch out on his own. “My uncle, Jim Parker, has acted as a mentor over the course of my life. I really took note how he ran his business ethically, was always fair in his business dealings, and how he treated people, particularly employees, the right way. I was also blessed to work under attorneys with sound business judgment who acted as mentors. I felt very supported when making the change. Most importantly, my wife Erin supported me 100%, and was willing to make sacrifices in the beginning.”  In his private practice, Will places emphasis on two areas of law: Personal Injury and Criminal Law.  “I have a slightly different perspective on personal injury cases than perhaps others,” Will says, “because I’ve been in five automobile accidents that involved totaled vehicles, injuries and even death.  “When I was thirteen years old, I was traveling in a car with my family and we were hit head-on by a drunk driver. I sustained a seatbelt crush injury with a low chance of survival. It was a miracle, really, that I did.  My father and step-mother were seriously injured, and my father passed away months later from complications relating to those injuries.”  When he was thirty years old, Will was hit by a physician who ran a stop sign and t-boned his car at 45 mph. “I’ve been the victim of an accident and felt the financial brunt of it,” he says. “I’ve been involved in an accident where the driver didn’t have adequate insurance. It was scary because most of the medical providers wanted their money upfront. And I’ve felt the pain of losing a loved one, as well. I’ve been on all sides of the situation, and that broader perspective gives me a deeper level of empathy and understanding of how to handle these cases.”    Will knows first-hand that situations involving personal bodily injury can have a more devastating impact on your life in the long term than many people realize.  “If you’re young, a moderate speed impact collision can affect your body for your entire life,” he says. “If someone has been in any type of accident with bodily injuries, it’s wise for that person to call an attorney as soon as possible.  “An attorney can help in several ways. First, insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. They often resist giving payouts or paying full value. They know many tactics to minimize a settlement.”  An attorney is able to advocate on the behalf of accident victims so they can receive the physical treatment that they need when they need it, and physicians agree to be paid at the time of settlement. Attorneys are better able to find, discover and obtain all available insurance policies that a lay person would not likely be able to discover on their own. An attorney absolutely needs to be involved when any kind of release is signed as an accident victim may sign away rights to collect under certain policies.  “As Horry County is one of the most conservative counties in the state, this isn’t the place to get in a wreck and try to represent yourself,” he says.  Since the start of his career, Will has recovered millions of dollars for accident victims and handled thousands of accident cases. He has practiced law exclusively along the Grand Strand, where he resides in Market Common District with Erin and daughter, Annabelle.    Will (left) with Annabelle and Erin. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Many law firms have satellite offices here, and retain a primary office someplace else,” he says. “I make it a point to make myself accessible to my clients and I am happy to do at-home visits and hospital visits too, if needed.  “I am blessed to have hired a rock star paralegal, Janeen Salone, who also has experience in auto insurance and banking, which allows me to be able to practice law in those areas as well.”  “The number one yearly reported complaint about attorneys is they don’t return phone calls,” Will adds. “That’s just not how I handle my business. My clients receive my personal cell phone number and have direct access to me all the time. At a lot of law firms, the client never has the chance to speak to the lawyer. I want my clients to feel at ease. I hear stories all the time where clients tell me, ‘I called my attorney and left messages and I never heard back.’” In the realm of criminal law, Will focuses on DUI, minor drug and alcohol related charges, and other misdemeanor and felony offenses.  “I had a second chance in life and I believe everybody is entitled to that,” he says. “I think everybody deserves an attorney who is facing something that serious. I stay on top of cases. I fight hard for my clients and prepare diligently. That’s what wins cases, being prepared. I was in the restaurant business for fifteen years, waiting tables and working as a bartender. I took some of that customer service and applied it to my law practice.”  Will … Read more

Divine Dining Group

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A Homegrown, Ridiculously Good Restaurant Group by Melissa LaScaleia The Divine Dining Group currently owns and manages sixteen restaurant locations along the Grand Strand, with plans to expand this year.  The oldest concept was the River City Cafes, followed by Ultimate California Pizza in the late ’80s; Bubba’s Fish Shack; Nacho Hippo; and lastly Pawley’s Raw Bar.  “We are a collection of fast and family friendly restaurants that can offer you just about anything because of the diversity of our group— whether it’s fresh seafood, a tasty burger, monstrous nachos or an award winning pizza,” says Mike Tomko, director of sales and marketing for the Divine Dining Group.  “The DDG brand is something that our guests know, in terms of the high quality foods that we serve, the friendly and fast service, and the overall great experience they have dining with us.” The OMG burger of infamous repute found at River City Cafe. It premiered on the Food Network’s episode of “Most Outrageous Burgers in the USA.” — Photo Divine Dining Group River City Cafe is well known for their award-winning, handcrafted, gigantic, succulent burgers. Among them, the OMG (Oh My Gosh) burger, so named for the reactions it continues to evoke upon being presented to the unsuspecting diner.  In the words of Mike: “It’s massive. Words can’t describe it, and you’d be hard pressed to eat it.”  In 2018, the OMG was awarded a “Top 10” burger selected by the Food Network to premier on their episode of ‘Most Outrageous Burgers in the USA.’ Additionally, it won 1st Place for Best Burger in this year’s annual Best of the Beach awards. The recognition explains the restaurant’s tagline— it’s all about the burger.  In addition to those distinctions, USA Today voted River City Cafe among their top five destinations to take your family to eat. And with seven locations, all fast, casual, and family friendly, two claiming ocean-front real estate, in addition to a myriad of fun, how could they not be?  Upon arrival at River City Cafe, guests are provided an unlimited supply of peanuts, and invited to use the floor as a discard container for the shells. It’s perfect for kids, and the kid in you who just needs to break out of some strait-laced table manners for a while.  Table coverings are a blank canvas just waiting for your inner artist to be unleashed in crayon drawings. Equally popular are the collection of license plates from around the country that adorn the walls. Since so many of their patrons are tourists, it makes their guests feel a little more at home to spot their native state and it’s something that has really stuck in the memories of their loyal fans.  Goodies from Nacho Hippo — Photo Divine Dining Group Nacho Hippo— where hip happens— is all about having fun in an upbeat, and mostly open-air restaurant. Here you’ll find live music, good energy, and an expansive and creative adult beverage menu. Combine that with an extensive hand crafted food menu and you’ve made it to the Holy Grail of Mexican cantinas. You can indulge in their twelve different specialty tacos, sloppy burritos, quesadillas, homemade salsas, grilled corn on the cob, or a giant Mexican salad made fresh in a tortilla shell.  In 2018, Best of the Beach awarded them 1st place for their nachos, and runner-up for best margarita (always $3). Their nacho selections are monstrously huge— a fact from which they derived their name— Nacho Hippo. They serve up hippo-sized nacho creations with toppings like steak, shrimp, pork, chicken, peppers, and fresh veggies.   Nacho Hippo has two locations and a smaller outpost at the airport. Their location in the Market Common is hugely popular for private parties.  Ultimate California Pizza has won first place with Best of the Beach for years. All of their pizzas are handcrafted. — Photo Divine Dining Group Ultimate California Pizza serves perfect pizza that picky people love. All the pizzas are handcrafted, made with their signature dough and their sauce is a proprietary recipe blended exclusively for them.  The passion paid— they’ve come in first for their pizzas with the Best of the Beach award for years; this year they were one of the runners up. They have over twenty-five signature pizzas, as well as gluten free dough and several vegan options. They also have a full menu of salads and subs, and a full bar.     Ultimate California Pizza has a cool, laid back vibe, with TVs throughout and Top 40 music playing in all six of their locations. And they’re the only restaurant in the Divine Dining Group that also delivers.  One of the five Ultimate California Pizzas uniquely offers a gaming destination called the Game Zone, a massive 30,000 square foot facility which holds the restaurant, arcade with sixty state of the art interactive games, and private dining room for award ceremonies, team gatherings, birthday parties, or family gatherings.  Bubba’s Fish Shack. — Photo Divine Dining Group Bubba’s Fish Shack literally right across the street from the ocean, specializes in Southern— both hospitality and food— and they do both well.  “This is a place where you want to keep your flip-flops on and your napkin ready,” says Mike. “Because whether it’s a rack of ribs, a flounder, or a Captain’s Platter with oysters and shrimp, or all you can eat catfish, salads, clam chowder, Southern style BBQ, or a blackened grouper sandwich, we cover the bases when it comes to Southern.” The fast, casual restaurant has TVs throughout, and all kinds of nautical paraphernalia that will help you recalibrate into a slower, Southern pace.  “People leave extremely happy and saying, ‘the meal was almost as good as the service,’’’ says Mike. “It’s easy to just feel at home here. You might be from Maine, or Quebec, but you think after you leave, that you’re from somewhere in Myrtle Beach.”  Pawley’s Raw Bar. — Photo Divine Dining Group Pawley’s Raw Bar is a fun place where you don’t mind eating … Read more

America’s Furniture Warehouse

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Myrtle Beach’s Highest Rated Furniture Store by Melissa LaScaleia Rick Rose, Jr. is part owner and general manager of America’s Furniture Warehouse along with his father, Rick Rose Sr., and Dave Morton, who also has deep roots in the furniture community.  “My grandfather has been in the furniture business for fifty years,” Rick says. “He was in the U.S. Air Force and came from a family of crop farmers, but his extended family inspired him to get into the furniture business. He really enjoyed it, and it became a family tradition. Today our family owns and operates several stores in North Carolina as well as Myrtle Beach. I’m the third generation.”  Rick Rose, Jr. (left) with Josh Troutman (right). — Photo Meganpixels Parker American’s Furniture Warehouse is one of the most competitive furniture stores in Myrtle Beach. In their warehouse style showroom, they offer medium to high-end bedroom; living room; and dining room furniture; mattresses; accents and accessories; as well as outdoor furniture. They are a one-stop-shop furniture store for your entire house, and also offer design services to help coordinate your selections.  “We’re a different animal altogether from most other stores,” says Rick. “We are the biggest furniture store in the area with the largest selection of goods. We have a warehouse on site where we stock everything so that we can offer same-day or next-day delivery on most items. Whereas, when you purchase everywhere else, you have to wait two to three weeks to have pieces delivered.”  They also guarantee the lowest prices on furniture in the area, with savings up to 70% on all major name brands like Ashley Furniture, Catnapper, Jackson, Serta, Simmons, Kingsdown, Best Chair, Southern Motion and more.    The reason their costs are so low is because Rick purchases directly from the factory through manufacturers.  — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Because we buy and sell in volume, we do an extensive business and have negotiated rates with companies so we can pass our savings onto our customers. We also buy factory closeouts and samples to save even more. Shopping with us saves people time, because they don’t have to shop around, trying to compare offerings or prices. And if they want, we can also place custom and special orders.”  Rick attended Elon University in North Carolina and studied finance with the intention of pursuing a career in financial advising. But after college, he decided to work with his family in the furniture business full-time— something he had been doing off and on since he was seventeen.  “I love everything about this business,” he says. “I like buying furniture and working with customers to help them to bring their abstract inspirations, or more fully formed visions to fruition. Business-wise, I like building something from the ground up— training people and growing with them— it’s very entrepreneurial. We’re doing better here than we ever have with any other store. And it’s a blessing to be a part of something so big, and to see everybody who’s involved grow. We started with ten employees and now we have thirty.”  America’s Furniture Warehouse opened their doors on June 27, 2014. The showroom. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Originally, we were going to lease the space where the store is,” Rick says. “But the deal fell through at the last minute, so we decided to put a furniture store in. It turned out to be a blessing for us. Two years later, we were growing so fast we had to expand to meet the demand— to give customers better service and more options. This year we’re planning on adding onto our 60,000 square foot location again, so that in five years we’ve almost doubled the size of our showroom.”  “People-wise, Myrtle Beach is one of the fastest growing little cities I’ve ever seen,” he continues. “There’s a huge influx of people moving here— it’s like a melting pot made up of a really diverse group of people. I stock furniture to appeal to a huge range of tastes. I want people to be able to come to our store and find anything that any other store has, while saving money and being treated right. We take a lot of time to focus on customer service.” When it comes to merchandising, America’s Furniture Warehouse is very advanced. They can process a deal from start to finish very quickly— and get a couch or a bedroom set in less than a day. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We’re a family owned business with family values,” Rick says. “We’re a little big store. We’re excited about taking care of the community through what we offer— great quality, selection, and competitive prices. We want to stay in business, but we can do that while helping the consumer, rather than taking advantage of them. And we’ve developed a great reputation in this area for just that.”  With their family heritage so firmly entrenched in furniture sales, they plan to add additional stores in years to come to help out even more communities than Myrtle Beach. The Myrtle Beach location is going to be their icon flagship store.  “We’re not a fly-by-night operation— we’re here to stay,” Rick says. “We think we offer something special, and want people to give us a chance and let us help them out.” America’s Furniture Warehouse 1214 Port Drive Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 843-294-9994 www.americasfurniturewhse.com Facebook @ Americas Furniture Warehouse

Q&A with Christine Harrison

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Chicago Native and Now Exercise Enthusiast by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  It’s my husband Michael and I.    Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? We both are originally from Chicago, Illinois. We moved here to retire, even though my husband is still working. We live in a three-story town home in the Market Common, just across from Sweetgrass.  Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? I like the Market Common and all the restaurants there because it’s so close. We can walk there and have something to eat and drink and walk back home. The beach is also a favorite. What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? It’s inexpensive and warmer than Illinois. Everything seems to be close. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? Now that I’m retired, I work only part time, and I have a lot more time to do other things. I workout more, I go to the beach which we didn’t have where I lived. I enjoy happy hour with my friends. Those are the things I wasn’t doing when I was working full time, because I worked twelve-hour days and it didn’t leave me much time to do anything else.     What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Exercising.  Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? The culture for me was different when I came down here; things are more laid back, a little slower paced. I find a lot of people in the Market Common are from the North. But everybody is a little more relaxed because so many are retired.  Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family?  I’ve known my husband since the seventh grade.  What are your favorite things to do here?  Happy hour with friends; shopping in boutiques; going to the beach and the gym. Sometimes they have athletic competitions I like to get involved in.  Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach? A Cheesecake Factory would be nice; and more restaurants in the Market Common.

Larry Bragg

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A Georgia Native and Financial Whiz by Melissa LaScaleia Larry Bragg was born in Savannah, Georgia and attended college at Armstrong University, in Georgia.   After college, he joined the U.S. Air Force and completed basic training at Lakeland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.  Upon graduation, the new recruits were asked to make a list of the three Air Force bases they would most like to be stationed at for the duration of their term of service; it could be anywhere in the world. Larry selected the Myrtle Beach AFB among his top choices.  He was to serve in the military as a Morse Code Intercept Operator, and completed extensive security clearances and background checks as well as additional training to do so.  At the end, he prepared to ship out to Southeast Asia for his term of duty, as a staff sergeant. But his destiny was not to carry him in that direction.  At the time, the Air Force was undergoing a massive undertaking to transfer all of its financial information of payroll and disbursements for everyone in the Air Force to one unified location— the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center.  This was a large-scale and time consuming project, and the Air Force needed to recruit servicemen to assist in getting it completed.  Larry was selected to complete the computer training needed to assist in the transfer, and was sent to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas for two months in preparation. After completing the training, he was assigned to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base to work on the financial conversion.  Many years later, Larry was grateful that he was assigned one of his top choices for placement in the military.  After an honorable discharge from the military, he made Myrtle Beach his home and reflected:  “If the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base system had been converted years earlier, or if there had not been the “Dream Sheets,” asking where I’d like to go, I would have spent my career in windowless rooms somewhere in Southeast Asia intercepting and decoding messages.” 

Emma’s Health Talk: GMO’s

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What Are They and Are They Good or Bad? by Emma Ware There is so much we don’t know about our food that it can be overwhelming, confusing, frustrating, and even angering.  This month I hope I can shed some light on such a dark subject; I say dark only because most of us are in the dark about this subject and we need to dissect it a bit at a time.  The definition of GMO is genetically modified organism. That can be applied to a number of subjects since the definition goes on to say a GMO is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. The exact definition of a genetically modified organism and what constitutes genetic engineering varies, with the most common being an organism altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.  That’s enough to scare the bejeebies out of me. New genes can be introduced or endogenous genes can be enhanced, altered or knocked out. When all that applies to the foods we eat, I become nauseous.  We just don’t know what has been done to our food supply and just how much has been altered and what has been added or removed.  Let’s start by examining a simple example. Our beautiful corn is no longer what our first citizens ate when crops were harvested in Plymouth. Back then, it was pure and planted in soil untouched by chemicals—  unlike what our crops grow in today.  Wikipedia has the most current information I have found that covers every phase of GMO concerns and questions. It is worth investigating for those of you wanting detailed and documented information. Corn has been the most notoriously genetically modified and abused product I found, but it’s not limited to planted crops.   Chemicals have been introduced to make all corn crops resistant to pests, but what does it do to the mature crop? Does it cause us to be resistant to insect bites when we eat it? Just wondering.  I’ve just finished reading about genetically modified salmon and nearly choked on the description of how they are modified. The salmon now contains a growth hormone gene that acts like an “on” switch that enables the salmon to grow year-round instead of seasonally like wild or farmed salmon. It grows to market size in half the time (16-18 months verses 32-36 months) for conventional Atlantic salmon.  We have become subject to a society that looks to increase productivity, increasing profits for chemical industries who develop the techniques to increase production, by genetically engineering crops and fish and who knows what else.  What has happened to appreciating real and unaltered foods? Do we know how it all came about? Are there more of us who wonder what will be next? Should we be messing with the natural order of things for profit? What do you think?  Whatever you choose, as I always mention, whenever you chose to make changes to your health routine, check first with your doctor.  Let me know what you think, come see me at the office, 2798 D Howard Ave, Market Common Myrtle Beach, or give me a call at 843 997-7037.  -Emma

Charlie Shows His Romantic Ingenuity and Ponders His Luck

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Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of the Market Common. Each month, he’ll share information to help all new, visiting, and existing doggie community members get the most out of life alongside their human companions. Here, we’ll feature his reflections on what it’s like to be a dashing downtown doggie, as he reminds all of us how to play well together.  This month, Charlie shares about his date with Winnie and takes stock of his luck.   My Valentine’s Day date with my girl-dog-friend Winnie was just as perfect as she is (sigh). Megan helped me bake dog biscuits in the shape of a heart, and I surprised her with them at just the right moment.  We were strolling through the Bark Parc in the Market Common. I had visited earlier that day and dug a hole right by my favorite tree and buried the treats. Then as we were meandering along, I took her to the spot, and told her that the earth was blooming with love and I would prove it.  I scrambled in the dirt, and sure enough, luck was on my side, as no other amorous canines attempting to woo their lady-loves, or mischievous squirrels had yet visited the spot.  Winnie was delighted, all the more so because of the presentation. I definitely earned points for ingenuity. We spent a delightful rest of the day romping in the grass, playing in the sunshine, and admiring another one of her hats.  Now I just need to keep luck on my side. Good thing that St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. I’ll borrow a bit of the luck’o the Irish to stay on the up-and-up with Winnie.  I wonder how I get Irish luck. Is it free? Does it come with the day even if you’re not Irish? My pedigree— maltipoo poodle thank you very much— is not Irish. Not even British.  It’s a toss up if the poodle is of French or German origin, and maltipoo’s are a 100% American breed. But, there were a lot of Irish immigrants to America back in the day, so maybe being an American breed makes me inadvertently Irish in some way.  Or maybe the powers-that-be that control all that Irish luck would be a little lenient with me in borrowing some so I can continue to impress Winnie. After all, I am changing my wayward stripes and that’s gotta count for something positive, right?  Well, it’s worth looking into anyway. There’s definitely plenty of grass around, and clover usually is found in the grass, so I’m certain of finding some luck there. It’s time for me to put on Charlie’s-research cap so I can get to the root of the luck’o the Irish.  Hmmm… Apparently the word luck is of Middle Dutch origin (still not German, French or American, but okay, let’s keep going). It may be a shortening of the word, ‘luc’ or ‘gheluc’ which means good fortune. And the phrase luck of the Irish actually didn’t start in Ireland at all, but came to refer to the Irish immigrants to America who searched for gold during the gold rush, and found it.  Apparently, the Irish had a propensity for finding more gold than others, and people began to apply the phrase to their good fortune.  Well that’s good news for me! Since the term was birthed on American soil, maybe all that magic luck will overlook my birth (of which I’m very proud, by the way).  I’ll just have to cross my paws and hope for the best this month. Wish me… luck.  Until next time, 

Red Cross and the Country’s Opioid Crisis

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Opioid Overdose Awareness by Melissa LaScaleia Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with opioids being the number one cause of those deaths.  In South Carolina, the number of opioid overdoses has increased three consecutive years in a row. According to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 57 people died in 2014 of a heroin-involved overdose. 616 people died from an opioid overdose in 2016, and in 2017, that number rose to 748.  In response, the American Red Cross launched a First Aid for Opioid Overdose course in November 2018. This information is particularly important for those in Horry County, as drug overdoses in South Carolina continue to increase.  “The statistics emphasize the importance of the Red Cross to be in those communities to offer this education and show people what to do in the event that they are around someone experiencing this overdose,” says Cuthbert Langley, director of communications for the Palmetto, SC region.  The 45-minute online course is a combination of audio and video components that helps people to identify the signs of opioid overdose, so they can spot what the problem is, and secondly, how to care for the person who has overdosed.  It shows how to administer Narcan, a nasal spray that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and brings the person to consciousness. It’s available from a pharmacist directly without a prescription.  Because an opioid overdose can lead to cardiac arrest, the Red Cross encourages people to take a CPR and AED course (also available through Red Cross).  In North Carolina, during hurricane Florence, an individual in one of the shelters was going through an opioid overdose, and a Red Cross volunteer was able to save their life because of this training.  “It’s important for people to know that we’re working to support the military, to prevent home fires, and to collect blood, but it’s also important for people to know that the Red Cross is there to empower communities with lifesaving information,” says Cuthbert.  On a national level, the Red Cross is working with the White House to address the mounting opioid epidemic. The president of the training services division was invited along with twenty-one other organizations like pharmaceutical and insurance companies, to an opioids event at the White House late last year to brainstorm ideas and solutions to help. The American Red Cross spoke about their course and what they have planned, to try to address what has become, a public health crisis.  Amazon was present, showing how they programmed Alexa to answer questions about opioids and opioid overdose. Google is working with Walgreens to show on maps where people can safely dispose of unused prescription medications thereby preventing them from falling into the hands of recreational drug users.  “We want to be at the table and part of the conversation to help alleviate human suffering and the opioid overdose is part of that,” says Cuthbert.  Visit www.redcross.org to take the Opioid Overdose Course, sign up for CPR, AED, and visit the many other courses the Red Cross teaches as part of their well-rounded training platform.

The 9th Annual Surfside Beach BBQ Festival

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by the Town of Surfside Beach March kicks off the festival season in the town of Surfside Beach. And the first event on the calendar is the popular BBQ festival.  It was started as a way to introduce visitors to the town and generate interest in local business. Surfside Beach has a lot to offer, and we are all proud of our town. On March 9, 2019, the 9th annual event will be held on Surfside Drive. The event starts 10 am and continues until 4 pm. There will be vendors, fun for the kids, and of course, a variety of food. All participants will be asked to judge the competitors in the BBQ festival. The winners will be announced afterwards. When you attend, don’t forget to vote. There are bragging rights on the line, after all.  A few years ago, “Anything But BBQ” was added to the schedule. This event is held the night before the BBQ Festival from 7 pm until 9 pm. Competitors at the festival are challenged to create something other than BBQ in an informal competition. This part of the festival is held in the parking lot on Yaupon Drive, one block back from the beach. The BBQ Festival began humbly, with ten vendors the first year, but has since grown to host over seventy vendors and more than 4,000 attendees, and continues to grow each year. It has become a major event on our calendar, and couldn’t have succeeded without your support.  Local craft vendors and artists will be available for browsing and buying. If you’re not a fan of BBQ, there will be plenty of additional food vendors, including several different bakeries.  Feel like dancing in the streets? There will be two live bands providing music at either end. The Josh Brannon Band will be providing country and Western music, while Crave and Company will be playing Swing and Bluegrass tunes. Bring a lawn chair, and listen in comfort. For the kids, there will be games, activities and inflatables to play on in the park. All kid’s activities are free of charge. The Surfside Beach Fire Department will have a fire truck on display for the kids. Call (843) 650-9548 for more information. 

Staying in Motion in the Market Common

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This is How We Move It by Ashley Daniels Things are constantly in motion here at the Market Common — especially for these three retailers on Deville Street that specialize in getting you in shape and keeping you on the move. Coastal Dance Centre, 3070 Deville St. Coastal Dance Centre has spent more than a decade offering a high standard of training and performance programs for their students. The dance studio offers ballet classes from the preschooler through the pre-professional level and is affiliated with the Royal Academy of Dance in London. Additional dance classes are available in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, aero, musical theater, and hip-hop. Students can choose from classes for enjoyment, or opt for a more serious program if they wish to train pre-professionally. Coastal Dance Centre has recently expanded into additional studio space at 3073 Howard Avenue with classes for children and adults. For more information, visit CoastalDanceCentre.com or call 843-839-5678.  Pedego Electric Bikes, 3080 Deville St. There’s bicycling… then there’s electric bicycling. Pedego Electric Myrtle Beach offers fun, fitness, and freedom on another level. There’s nothing that comes close on the Grand Strand to the exhilaration of riding an electric bike.  Pedego’s top-of-the-line electric bikes and accessories are available for purchase and for rent. Tours are offered on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 10 am. For $20, you get an electric bike rental, entrance into Myrtle Beach State Park, and one of Pedego’s entertaining expert guides. Visit Pedego to find out about the fun of e-bikes for yourself; or visit PedegoMB.com or call 843-602-6941. Yoga in Common, 3062 Deville St. The Market Common’s yoga studio rolls out its yoga mats and invites people from all walks of life to meet up “in common” at one of its many classes. Their mission is to raise awareness of the physical and mental benefits from a practice that stretches back 5,000 years. Yoga in Common offers classes and meditations for all levels and ages as well as community events, such as health and wellness mini-classes and homeopathic speakers. It’s truly a safe space thats energized by a sense of community. The studio also offers The ‘Tique, its own shop selling earth-friendly gifts, jewelry and products crafted by local artists. For more information on upcoming classes and events, visit YogaInCommon.com or call 843-839-9636.

Population Growth in Horry County & Effects on Little River

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by the Little River Chamber of Commerce, with information sourced from Horry County Planning & Zoning – Imagine 2040 According to 2015 population estimates, Horry County has approximately 309,199 permanent residents. The County has experienced rapid growth since the 1970s, adding over 250,000 permanent residents since that time.  Horry County has one of the highest population growth rates in the state, and is now the fourth most populous county in South Carolina. The 2015 total population estimate reflects a 14.8% increase since 2010. This reflects growth that occurred even during a major economic downturn. These numbers are only expected to escalate as the population is projected to grow to 584,500 by 2040. Population growth is mainly being driven by individuals that are relocating to Horry County from neighboring states, other counties in South Carolina, and from the Northeast. Population projections enable the county to take present action to accommodate future conditions. Projections can help determine the level of demand for future facilities and services. Making plans in a rapidly changing, high growth area such as Horry County is difficult. As Little River and neighboring areas become more densely populated, it will become increasingly important to monitor and predict the needs of residents. Safety services, parks and recreational services and facilities, housing, and land use will all need to reflect the growing and changing needs. Historically, Horry County’s population has primarily resided along the beach front and near area waterways. Since the 2000 Census, Horry County’s population has grown further away from the beach, along major highway corridors.  Little River and the Hwy 90 corridor have seen considerable population growth. These same areas are expected to see an increase in development into the future, as many new subdivisions have been preliminarily approved in these growth areas, but remain to be constructed. The current population in Little River is approximately 39,000 and is estimated to grow to 72,000 by year 2040. Longs has approximately 7,592 residents and is estimated to grow to 35,500 by 2040.

The Carolina Forest Civic Association

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What’s Going On in the Forest by Greg Schwartz The Carolina Forest Civic Association (CFCA) meeting on March 20, 2019 will present updates on the “Future of the Forest” as well as strategies for supporting the growth and richness of Carolina Forest.  This monthly meeting of the CFCA starts at 6 pm at the HCPR Carolina Forest Recreation Center on Carolina Forest Blvd. Admission is free and open to the public. The Carolina Forest Civic Association will be hosting the 1st Annual Carolina Forest Business Expo on March 30, 2019 from 9am-3pm at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center. Originally scheduled for September 15, 2018, the event had to be postponed due to Hurricane Florence.  The Expo will feature over forty locally owned businesses from the Carolina Forest area. This is a family friendly event, admission is free, and there will be over $10,000 worth of door prizes given away. Come out to support your neighbors and learn about the locally owned and operated businesses and services available in our community. There is sure to be something for everyone with the mix of fantastic vendors we have lined up. Please feel free to contact Greg Schwartz at 843-251-1032 if you have any questions or would like to get involved in the event. Find out more about the CFCA by visiting our website www.cf-ca.org, or our Facebook Page @carolinaforestcivic. The CFCA meets on the third Wednesday of each month at our Carolina Forest Recreation Center. Please come join us and find out more about what is happening in Carolina Forest.

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