Moore, Johnson, & Saraniti Law Firm – Meet Sarah A. Johnson

Trusted and Experienced by Melissa LaScaleia Sarah Johnson and V. Lee Moore started their law firm in 2001. Then Elizabeth Saraniti joined their practice, and the three partners grew their firm to five attorneys and a staff of nine. As their firm expanded, they gradually evolved from their original office into their present setting of two buildings along Glenns Bay Road in Surfside Beach.    “When Lee and I started our practice, we didn’t set out to be a practice with five female attorneys,” Sarah says. “But it turned out that way. We have a good mixture of attorneys to help clients with whatever they may face in their daily lives— like real estate transactions; estate planning; probate administration; personal injury; family law; collections; and community association representation. “We have been well known in the area for many years, and pride ourselves on helping members of the local Grand Strand community. We like people and enjoy the work that we do.”  The team of Moore, Johnson & Saraniti — Photo Meganpixels Parker The firm has well-trained paralegals who are knowledgeable enough to be helpful to clients, but the lawyers take pride in being accessible to their clients, and are always available to answer any questions.  Sarah primarily practices real estate law for both commercial and residential clients; occasionally she also handles wills and estate planning. “Getting to meet people is my favorite thing about practicing law,” she says. “I’m helping them when it’s an exciting time of their life—they’re purchasing or selling their property. Real estate is often a major purchase for individuals, and they always have a lot of questions. It can be stressful too, and I like being able to be there for them, to help them through the entire process.”  Sarah was born and raised in the Midwest, and moved to NY in the early ’70s. She decided to attend law school later in life, graduating from Fordham University of Law in 1996. She moved to Pawleys Island the following year, and loves living there.  “Because I was in business for many years before I became an attorney, I have a different outlook on life,” she says. “The fact that I have a business background makes me more appreciative of the positive aspects of law.” Moore, Johnson & Saraniti Law Firm, P.A.  1271 Glenns Bay Road Surfside Beach, SC 29575 843-650-9757 www.grandstrandlawyers.com Facebook @ Moore Johnson Saraniti Law Firm

The 2019 Fourth of July Murrells Inlet Boat Parade

Liberty, Justice, and a Good Time For All by Melissa LaScaleia The Murrells Inlet Boat Parade is gearing up to celebrate their 36th year in Murrells Inlet this July 4.  “A group of us began the Boat Parade in 1983 as a way to celebrate the 4th of July,” Lee Hewitt shares. “Other communities had events and ways of celebrating, and we wanted to have something for our community too.”  Many years ago, Lee and his friends, including his mother Adele Hewitt, Bob Hendrick, Norma Coote, Sara Brown, Rose Cook, and Francis and Earl Atkinson, all lived on the creek in Murrells Inlet.  “At the time, there was a Mexican restaurant on the bypass called Rosa Lindas, and we met over margaritas and chips and salsa one night and came up with the idea,” he says. “That first year, we had about five or six boats in the parade.”  Within two to three years of starting it, the parade started to get bigger until it outgrew the group. At that point, they collectively turned it over to the Murrells Inlet Jaycees— a youth civic organization— to organize it, handle the logistics, and use it as a fundraising event to support their community projects.  Lee and his friends made and sold T-shirts that read ‘Murrells Inlet Boat Parade’ and came up with an accompanying logo and a theme that changes each year. It’s a tradition that is still carried on to this day. “The T-shirts were really popular,” he says. “We sold out every year and donated the money to the Jaycees.”  In the ’90s, the Jaycees closed their doors permanently, and the group turned the Boat Parade into a non-profit 501(c)(3). They selected the Boy Scouts of America as the new recipients of the proceeds from their T-shirt-sales.  Since the Boy Scouts have been involved, they’ve raised over $309,000 in T-shirt sales. This year’s theme is ‘Liberty, Justice, and a Good Time For All.’ Leading up to the event, you can buy the T-shirts at Garden City Realty, or Lee’s Inlet Apothecary, both in Murrells Inlet. If there are any left, they will be available for purchase along the Marsh Walk the day of the parade. They are still as popular today as they were back then, so get yours early. They sell out— all 3,000— every year.  — Photo Lee Hewitt Lee has served as cochairman of the parade since the beginning, with his friend, Bob Hendrick, who has since passed away, assisting him as his counter-chairman.  Today, Lee runs things on his own with the help of the Boy Scouts.  “People call me throughout the year to plan for next year,” he says. “This is a big event for everybody— they plan months in advance. We have to create the theme, the logo— secure the permitting. There’s a lot to organize logistically with the Coast Guard, police and restaurants, so everyone can set their schedules.”  The Murrells Inlet Boat Parade is free and open to anyone who wants to participate. You can register your boat before July 4 at several different locations. Or, on the day of the parade, you can register at the Committee Boat, which is at the beginning of the parade.  The time for the parade changes annually, as it’s dependent on the tide. This year’s parade starts at 9am. From beginning to end, it takes about an hour and a half.  It starts at the point of Garden City, which is the mouth of the Inlet, and then runs past the houses of Garden City, along the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk, past Crazy Sister Marina and Belin Methodist Church, and finishes at the end of Parsonage Creek.  The best locations from which to view the parade are along the  Marsh Walk or in the parking lot of Belin Methodist Church.  “You’ll see people decorate their boats, they’ll have costumes, they’ll have music,” Lee says. “We give trophies for the best decorated boats and the best decorated docks. People go all-out with red, white, and blue flags and banners. We’ll have judges on the committee boat and along the creek to judge.”  The Murrells Inlet Boat Parade may be a local event, but its reputation has spread to the point where it has been featured nationally. CBS news did a television clip on it several years ago.  “It’s become a great family event,” Lee says. “Families and friends gather out on the boats; the houses and docks along the creek are decorated. Restaurants along the Marsh Walk serve food and beer. There are picnics and cookouts; people show up by the thousands. It’s a great community event. It creates a strong sense of fellowship, and raises funds for the Boy Scouts. It’s just a good, fun day.”  The Murrells Inlet Boat Parade Thursday, July 4, 2019 Facebook@ Murrells Inlet Boat Parade   Register Your Boat Booty’s Outdoors, 3908 Hwy 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, 843-651-2593 Garden City Realty, 608 Atlantic Avenue, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, 843-651-0900 Crazy Sister Marina, 4123 Hwy 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, 843-651-3676.   T-shirts Visit Garden City Realty or Lee’s Inlet Apothecary, 3579 Hwy 17 Bus, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, 843-651-7979, anytime before July 4.

Market Common Dentistry

Treating Patients Like Family by Melissa LaScaleia Market Common Dentistry is a general dentistry practice that does all aspects of dental procedures except orthodontics.  The small local business has been located in the Market Common for seven years, and is owned by Dr. James E. Mills. In addition to Dr. Mills working full time, he has a part-time associate— Dr. Robert V. Carimi.  Dr. Mills received a B.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1979; he graduated in 1984 from Loyola University with a doctorate in dental surgery. He then completed a one-year general practice residency at the University of Chicago in 1987, which provided training in advanced surgical techniques, anesthesia, and general medicine. He worked as a dentist in private practice in Chicago before moving to Myrtle Beach in 1991.  Once here, he purchased an existing dental practice which he moved and expanded. Currently, he is in his third location in Myrtle Beach— “And,” he says, “I’m in the best one yet.  “Market Common is like a community within a community. You can walk out the door of my practice and see the beautiful lake. The whole setting is very peaceful. It’s new, it’s clean— and with beautiful sports fields, very family oriented.”  Dr. Robert V. Carimi is originally from Memphis, TN and has been practicing dentistry for ten years. He earned his dental degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry. Prior to entering private practice, he completed advanced training in surgical techniques at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Memphis, TN. Dr. Mills educates a patient. — Photo Meganpixels Parker A huge benefit of Market Common Dentistry is that both Doctors Mills and Carimi are able to administer IV and oral sedation to patients in the dental chair. As a result, most dental procedures are able to be conducted in their office, bypassing the need to be referred to specialty practices.  Administering oral sedation is both a science and an art, and takes skill to manage properly. Patients undergo less stress from the beginning to the end of a treatment than they otherwise would, resulting in a more pleasant experience, and with superior treatment outcomes.  “Many patients say that typically they are terrified to call or come into the office for a myriad of reasons— traumatic childhood experiences, not being able to get numb, bad dentistry— and we are able to ease their fears by offering IV sedation,” says Lisa Yazici, the practice manager for the office. “It makes it easier for everyone.”  Lisa has twenty-three years of dental office experience. Her job is to run the daily operations of the dental practice, and to ensure that everything is running smoothly— from patient comfort to treatment planning.  In addition to IV sedation, the same doctors are able to place and restore dental implants. Dental implants are titanium posts that are implanted into the jaw bone and replace the natural teeth, which increases chewing efficiency and stability.  An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to implants. A regular denture rests on the gums and is not supported by implants.  An implant-supported denture is used when a person doesn’t have any teeth in the jaw but has enough bone in the jaw to support implants. However, bone grafting may be performed on patients that don’t have adequate bone. These complex procedures often require visits to multiple dentist offices to complete, but Market Common Dentistry is able to execute them in their entirety.  In addition to cutting edge, modern dental equipment, the office was designed with amenities like heated, massage dental chairs, and ceiling-mounted TVs. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Market Common Dentistry also offers custom-made oral devices to assist people suffering from sleep apnea when the patient cannot tolerate the CPAP machine.  CPAP machines are the most commonly used medical devices for those with this condition, but in recent years, the dental industry has made great strides in creating innovative devices that provide greater comfort than the CPAP machine. “We are a private practice, not a clinic or corporate dentistry,” says Lisa, “and that’s why we’re able to provide more personalized care for our patients. We don’t have a quota system to meet, nor do we let insurance dictate what services we can perform. The doctors and team continue their education and stay current with the newest materials, techniques, and procedures. Our doctors will be there for many years for continuity of care.”  In addition to containing cutting edge, modern dental equipment, the office was designed with amenities like heated vibrating dental chairs, and ceiling-mounted monitors so patients can watch DVDs or television during procedures.  “We understand that people dislike the dentist, and that’s why the entire team at Market Common Dentistry, from the front desk, to the dental hygienists, and assistants, to the doctors, do everything they can to make their patients feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable,” says Lisa.  “We develop a rapport with our patients and listen to their needs, focusing on service to help put people at ease. And we can assist our patients with financing options when the need arises. Our patients are like family to us.”  Knowing that almost any dental problem that they have can be treated at this pleasant, contemporary office—and knowing that they’ll be cared for by a familiar face for an intense procedure— brings many anxious dental patients a measure of calm and security.  “We’re very comforting, caring, kind and professional here,” Lisa says. “That’s why our motto is ‘smile with confidence, in comfort, beautifully.’ ”  Dr. Mills shares that his favorite thing about practicing dentistry is helping people achieve a healthier mouth, and providing them with the services that they want and need.  “I really value and strive for the best long-term patient outcomes,” he says. “It’s gratifying when I can relieve their pain and see them leave with a smile, and help them make headway with their oral health.  “We treat a lot of families, and they come to us because of the convenience of the services we offer, availability of appointments, and location.”  “We are successful because of the way we treat our patients and the quality of … Read more

Carolina Seafood and Steak

The Coastal Insider

The Best of Both: Land and Sea Delivered With a Spirit of Teamwork By Kristyn Winch and Ettie Newlands At Carolina Seafood and Steak, you don’t have to choose. “We give you both: land and sea,” says restaurant owner Tevos Zatikyan.  The Myrtle Beach eatery, located along Restaurant Row, specializes in surf and turf combination plates, serving up fresh seafood and USDA choice, hand-cut steaks. “Sometimes you go into a restaurant and you don’t know what to choose,” Tevos says. “We make it easy for you.”  Carolina Seafood and Steak just rolled out a new menu this past February, with dishes created by executive chef Charif Arabe.  “We are proud of what we’re serving,” Tevos says. Charif has helped simplify the menu, focusing on creating a strong identity for the restaurant while continuing to provide the highest quality meals. The chef is working with local vendors including Lee’s Farms and Benjamin’s Bakery to bring fresh ingredients to the table each day.  Fresh seafood comes from local fishermen out of Charleston and McClellanville.  Charif plans to change the menu seasonally and offer a modern twist on from-scratch favorites. He will feature daily specials, including a pasta dish of the day, and a seafood catch of the day for customers to try something a little out of the ordinary.  The new menu will also showcase the restaurant’s brick oven, with delicious flatbreads as a popular option. Other features will include a sauté station and a ‘from the grill section.’ Charif also aims to provide more vegetarian and vegan options for customers.  “We want to accommodate our customers’ needs,” the chef says. “We can create things on the spot and offer substitutions.”  Charif has been cooking for eighteen years and has won awards locally and nationally, including second place in the 2018 South Carolina Seafood Challenge, and Judge’s Choice at Souper Supper in 2017 and 2018. He is originally from Morocco and has worked in restaurants in France and the United States. He says his multicultural culinary background helps him to enhance flavors.  “I like to let the ingredients shine,” he says. Charif enjoys staying up-to-date with new trends in food and loves to step outside of the box in the kitchen.  “I love to show creativity in food,” he says. Tevos has operated several restaurants on the Grand Strand including City Pizza, and, at the same location as Carolina Seafood and Steak, Italian La Festa. Back home in Armenia, he owned an Italian restaurant.  Tevos, who’s lived in the United states since 2006, is married, and he and his wife, Aksana, have three children.  “I came to this country and opened restaurants because it is what I know and what I like,” he explains. Tevos played professional volleyball for many years, and he brings the importance of teamwork to his work in the restaurant.  “I lead my staff to create a mentality where we work together,” he says. “We cannot go forward without it. I am a team player. We help each other and have fun.” When you eat at his restaurant, Tevos and his crew aim to provide quality customer service. “We want to give our guests the service we like to get when we go to a restaurant,” he says. “I put my heart and soul into my restaurant every day.”  Carolina Seafood and Steak is a member of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, and Tevos is actively working with the community to be a vital asset to the Grand Strand Area.  Ingredients don’t get any fresher than the ones used at Carolina Seafood and Steak because many of them are picked right from the restaurant’s garden. Tevos grows cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, broccoli and watermelon as well as herbs like basil, thyme, dill, oregano and rosemary. The restaurant’s early bird menu is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. Happy hour specials are also offered in the bar. The restaurant currently serves lunch and dinner.  Located in close proximity to several golf courses, the restaurant is a favorite spot for golfers before or after a round of golf. The restaurant also is a great spot for date night.  The 14,000 square foot historic building includes the main dining room, a sunny garden room with a glass roof, the bar, the wooden room with natural wood walls, and the Carolina Lounge and Bar, which is open from 5-9pm nightly. The lounge includes a dance floor and can be reserved, equipment and DJ included, for private parties. The restaurant regularly features live entertainment with a variety of musical genres represented. The building that houses Carolina Seafood and Steak was built in 1969, and contains many beautiful remnants salvaged from the former Ocean Forest Hotel— Myrtle Beach’s first hotel.  The magnificent wooden arches, built in 1927 and now dividing the restaurant’s rooms, and the actual bar, were originally part of the historic hotel. The stunning stained glass on the ceiling in the bar and the glass behind the bar were salvaged from a church in Spain. “The restaurant is kind of a golden location,” Charif says.  The restaurant’s large kitchen makes it possible for Carolina Seafood and Steak to host large parties, wedding receptions and other gatherings. The restaurant can provide à la carte meals or buffet-style dining for your event.  Carolina Seafood and Steak 9911 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572 843-945-9288 www.carolinasteakhouse.com Facebook @ Carolina Seafood and Steak Call or visit Facebook for information about their entertainment schedule.  

Coastal Tinting and Security Films

Protect Yourself at All Times by Melissa LaScaleia Matt Lillich, the owner and operator of Coastal Tinting and Security Films, attended college at UNC Wilmington, where he got started working with window films.  “I graduated in 1993 on a Saturday,” Matt says, “and on Monday, I was managing the company.”  By 1996, he had bought out the owner and relocated the business to Myrtle Beach, where he’s been running it ever since.  His company installs window products that reduce heat and glare from the sun, and security products that protect glass from breaking. As the installation of security films has become a bigger part of the business, Matt changed the name to reflect that at the first of the year— from Coastal Tinting to Coastal Tinting and Security Films. The sun control products temper the amount of heat and glare coming through windows, and prevent upholstery and carpeting from fading in the sun without imparting a loss of light. They also reduce air conditioning costs and prevent people from having to close their blinds to ameliorate the effects of the sun.    “There is a distinct satisfaction in knowing that the day I do an installation in a customer’s home, I’ll make that home a more comfortable place,” Matt says. “And you have to be very meticulous to do this, which is right up my alley.”     As technology has become more advanced, he has shifted his focus to high performance safety and security window films that provide increased glass safety and also help eliminate negatives associated with direct sun exposure. There’s a light and dark shade, so it offers varying levels of glare and heat control.  “Most modern homes have a lot of glass,” Matt says.  “So it leaves many points of vulnerability in the home.”  This photo shows the importance of proper installation for security film. In an impact test, a rock is thrown at a glass door o the left, in which the security film was installed correctly. The same rock was thrown at the door on the right, in which the film was installed incorrectly. — Photo Coastal Tinting The window film is a thick, heavy gauge product that is invisible to the naked eye and much more difficult to break if there is damage from storm or a forced entry. Additionally, the film is designed to hold the broken glass together (if it is broken), protecting people and things inside from shattering glass.      With these protective films, it’s the passive nature of their protection which makes them so immensely popular. It’s always there; doesn’t require maintenance; and doesn’t change the appearance of the windows. It’s like an invisible safety shield.  Security window films are supposed to be attached to the frame of the window in order to maximize their protective features. And it makes the installation more difficult and time consuming. This step is so crucial to the functioning of the product, that film manufacturers across the board won’t test the product unless it’s installed this way. Coastal Tinting and Security Films is the only Myrtle Beach company that installs the product this way for all their clients, whether commercial or residential. They use the same product as is found in military bases and court houses.    “The idea with the frame attachment is to not allow the frame kick-out to occur if something pushes up or tries to force its way through the glass,” Matt explains. “It’s there to hold that sheet of broken glass in and keep it adhered to the frame.”  “There has been very little impact testing done in a residential setting,” he continues. “So I used my own house for a test, because no one else would volunteer their own, and I wanted people to see how the product works.”  Matt created a video in which he applies security film to both panels of a sliding glass door— one with the frame attachment, the other without. Then he had people throw large rocks at the glass doors.  In addition to being fast (5 minutes), and highly gratifying, the video drives home the importance of quality installation. Without the film being attached to the frame, the damage to the glass was pretty bad, with the rock shooting right through the door. With the frame attachment, it outperformed the security capabilities that Matt expected. The impact was strong enough that it bent the aluminum frame of the door, but the rock bounced off the glass. You can view the video at www.coastaltinting.com.    “The public needs to be aware that just because they have security film installed, unless it is bonded to the window, it won’t perform in the way they’ve been told or may expect. Security films are becoming quite common, and it’s doing a disservice to the customer to leave them uneducated and vulnerable.”  Last year Matt celebrated his ten-thousandth customer.  “It was a huge landmark moment for me,” he says. “We always try to do good, solid, honest work at a fair price— where every job is done right the first time.” Coastal Tinting and Security Films 816 3rd Ave. South Surfside Beach, SC 29575 843-828-8468 www.coastaltinting.com Facebook @ Coastal Tinting

A Day of Hope For Children In Need 501(c)

Instilling a Sense of Hope During a Single Day in Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Sheila Karsevar is no stranger to entrepreneurial pursuits or following her passions. She has owned her own business as a Reliv Ambassador in the health and wellness industry for twenty-three years. She was so successful that sixteen years ago, her husband, Norm retired from his college coaching career and joined her as a partner.  Several years ago, she was searching for ways to make a change in her Myrtle Beach community.  “I love gathering people, having fun, and organizing things,” Sheila says. “And I’ve always loved kids of all ages. It hurts my heart when I see so many children feeling so little hope that they are turning to drugs or suicide as a solution. It felt to me like around the nation, we were losing our children.  “In November 2014, I saw a message online about Joyce Myer Ministry and I started to cry. I didn’t know why I was crying, so I began to pray to understand. Suddenly, I had a vision of a flyer with information on it of the organization I would eventually start— A Day of Hope For Children in Need. It was a very clear vision, and a very clear direction.”  With her new mission, Sheila was ready to get to work.  “I initially thought my husband wouldn’t be supportive because I’m involved in so many things,” she says. “But when I told him about it, he said, ‘Wow, that sounds really cool!’ I felt then that this was going to be very big.”     A Day Of Hope is an event that is held in Myrtle Beach before school starts in August. On this day, children who are in need of assistance (you must pre-register), will receive free haircuts, backpacks filled with school supplies, brand new shoes and new socks, and a big canvas bag of supplies for the home, like toilet paper, hand soap, and laundry soap.  “The point of this day is that volunteers are connecting with and loving on these kids. The day is about the community coming together in unity to support these children and inspire hope in them.” — Sheila Karsevar — Photo Sheila Karsevar “We fill that bag with things that food stamps don’t cover,” Sheila explains, “but are essential for wellbeing.”  Children also receive vision and dental exams and treatments, as well as lunch. The last component— their feet are washed by volunteers in a symbolic reenactment of the Bible story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. “We chose this act of reverence and honor to show these children an additional gesture of love,” says Sheila. “But it is only if the children are open to it. They still receive shoes and socks regardless. The point is that the volunteers are connecting with and loving on these kids. The day is about the community coming together in unity to support these children and inspire hope in them.”     “What the children hear throughout the day is that they are loved and created for a purpose,” she continues. “That is the heart of this day— that they are loved. They are being appreciated and valued.”  In the fall of 2014, Sheila had been attending a variety of networking meetings when A Day of Hope was born. She organically began to share her vision at those meetings, and soon doors were opening to make that vision a reality.  “There are so many children walking around with no hope, no resources, and nowhere to turn,” she says. “I think people can understand this need in our community, and seeing that they can do something tangible to make a difference, are willing to.  “Every year, it was: how is this going to happen? And as I was out and about networking, people would say to me something like, ‘My company wants to get involved in giving back to the community, do you have any ideas?’ So I would share with them about A Day of Hope.”  All of the supplies that are distributed to the children are brand new and reserved for them individually. — Photo Sheila Karsevar Little River Medical Center volunteered all of their medical services. There are a myriad of hair stylists and local salons involved.  “We have around 200 volunteers that help us,” Sheila says. “And between 40-50 different services that are involved in one way or another, whether it’s from being there the day of, or donations of supplies or services. I have 337 volunteers on my list, and it grows monthly. So it is truly the community coming together to help.” The program is now in its fifth year. Since its inception in 2015, Sheila estimates that they have served approximately 250 children yearly.  Pre-registration for children is required, as the supplies are reserved for them individually. If they cannot attend the event, they can still pick up their supplies. Under Sheila’s watchful eye, there is no waste. Anything that is left over is donated to Fostering Hope or schools most in need.  “It doesn’t matter peoples’ religious beliefs or backgrounds,” she says. “This is just a day to serve the children and support them— to bring a smile to their faces and hope to their hearts.  We have people volunteering from all different backgrounds. It’s a blessing for all all-around.”  So what’s next for Sheila and A Day of Hope?  “In the past few weeks I’ve had five different people say that we need to make this nation-wide. I agree. I feel like the way is being paved to bring this across the country. That would be incredible.” A Day of Hope Non-profit 501(c) To register a child, volunteer, or for more information: 843-568-9522 hopeinaday@gmail.com Facebook @ A Day of Hope Myrtle Beach.  

Common Sense Eating With Emma Ware

The Name Says It All by Melissa LaScaleia Emma Ware has been a certified nutritionist, clinical homeopath, and doctor of holistic nutrition for over fifteen years. She is also certified in Zone for weight loss, which teaches the art of combining proteins, starches and fats optimally.  “It’s one of the best programs for balancing foods for weight loss,” Emma says.  With her business, Common Sense Eating, Emma helps coach people through the often complex world of healthy eating to achieve their goals. She offers consultations, gives presentations, teaches cooking classes, and teaches people how and where to shop.  “I teach people how to get organized both in the kitchen, home, and personal lives all-together, so they can change their lifestyle and live a healthier one,” she says. “I get a lot of requests for weight loss. Often in the process of helping people to lose weight, my clients start changing a lot of the other health issues that they have.”  When Emma begins a new consultation— she starts with probing questions to empower her clients into self-discovery. Things like: What are your challenges? Where do you think your issues for gaining weight lie? Cravings? Emotions? Because you don’t cook? Because you’re eating the wrong foods?  Because you’re overeating?  “What I try to implement is a lifestyle change,” she says, “which means common sense eating. It’s a return to the basics. If you look at photographs of people from the beginning of time to the 1960s, the majority were thin. Looking from the 1970s to now, they are not. The only thing that has changed is the introduction of chemical-based foods; the outcome is disturbing the metabolism and gaining weight. On top of that, people today overeat.  “Previously, we didn’t have a lot of sprays for the environment. Today, the goal with manufacturing companies is to give foods a shelf life.”  Emma encourages her clients to cook at least 50% of the time, and gives them the skills so they can do so. She even wrote a cookbook to assist her clients.  — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Now they have great, easy recipes to follow,” she says. “And from there, I teach them how to cheat with junk food. We take bad junk food and replace it with good junk food.  “If you stay with the program, which stabilizes you and your life, you will gain less weight. I will teach you to eat everything you want without deprivation, without starving, without limiting your caloric intake to 800 a day, or counting points. By stabilizing your body and your life, you can live a satisfying lifestyle. It protects you from yo-yo dieting.”  Stability for Emma means balance and moderation.  Want a soda? Go for it— once a week. Alcohol? Yes— but not all the time. Love nuts? Go ahead. Just don’t eat pounds a day. It’s the practical application of common sense to your eating choices.  “The biggest challenge with all the gimmicks we have out there,” Emma says, “is that by counting calories or points, you gravitate towards eating bad food rather than the right foods that nourish your body. My approach teaches you to think differently about food.  “By eating the right way, at least 80% of the time, you’ll feel better, and you have a better chance of not having a lot of sugar problems. And sugar causes problems with yeast and infections and weakens the immune system.  “If you keep this lifestyle, it also helps to reduce inflammation, cravings and portion control. I find that when people come to me and do not lose weight, it is because they give up too easily when trying to make changes. They believe that if it doesn’t happen fast enough, it’s not working, and that’s not true.  “The same way that it takes time to change habits, it takes time to change the body to alter the body from before to after— from the bad to the new. You’re transforming your entire human body.”  Common Sense Eating at Emma’s School of Healthy Eating 2798 Howard Ave., Unit D Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 843-997-7037 www.itsnotadiet.net Open M-F 10am-4pm; or by appointment. 

Moore, Johnson, & Saraniti Law Firm – Meet Lee Moore

Persistent, Tenacious, Experienced by Melissa LaScaleia Lee Moore of Moore, Johnson, & Saraniti Law Firm primarily handles law cases in the areas of estate planning, probate administration, family law litigation, and mediation.  “I have thirty-two years of practice handling both sides of probate litigation working for the plaintiff as well as the defendant,” she says. “It gave me a lot of experience to see situations from both sides.  “Throughout my career, I’ve focused on litigation, specifically in family court and probate court. There aren’t a lot of attorneys who have concentrated their practice in those areas. For whatever reason, people have identified me as being good in these areas; and as I began to focus more on family and probate law, people continued to bring those types of cases to me.”  “I enjoy those areas of practice,” she continues, “because you see an immediate effect on people in their day-to-day life. With other areas of law, you feel further removed from the clients.  “I like mediation because you can help people resolve something in a fairly quick fashion, and it’s done outside of the court. I encourage people to pursue mediation before they file suit because it saves both time and money. My organizational abilities and problem solving skills are what make me a good mediator.”  The team of Moore, Johnson & Saraniti — Photo Meganpixels Parker Lee is originally from Pawley’s Island, and went to high school in Georgetown. She attended USC, then moved to Florida and worked as a paralegal before returning to USC to study law. After graduation, she settled in Surfside Beach.  When starting her own private practice, Lee was looking for an attorney who handled real estate closings to round out her firm. In an unusual twist of fate, Lee’s father used to have breakfast regularly at the Litchfield Diner with the husband of attorney Sarah Johnson. Word got out that Sarah had the skills that Lee needed, and when they met, both felt it would be a good fit.  “Today, amongst our entire team, we really meld a lot of areas of law, and that enables us to provide more extensive services to our clients,” Lee says. “We have areas that complement one another.”  “As a lawyer, I offer persistence, tenacity, and follow through,” she adds. “At our firm, we have a stellar support staff, a lot of whom have been with us for ten plus years, so that we are able to maintain the structure necessary to provide consistent follow-through and organization.  “We are very detail oriented and business-minded but at the same time are empathetic and care about our clients’ needs and interests. We have a great firm, both attorneys and staff.” Moore, Johnson & Saraniti Law Firm, P.A.  Attorney Lee Moore 1271 Glenns Bay Road Surfside Beach, SC 29575 843-650-9757 www.grandstrandlawyers.com Facebook @ Moore Johnson Saraniti Law Firm

The Coastal Insider: June 2019

Celebrating Our Third Year Anniversary This June by Melissa LaScaleia This month marks our publication’s three year anniversary of bringing our readers lighthearted, uplifting, and relevant information about the businesses, activities, and people in our community; it’s also the one year anniversary of our evolution from the Insider at the Market Common to the Coastal Insider.  We pride ourselves on serving our local community day in and day out,” says Jim Parker, Co-owner of the Coastal Insider, and Broker in Charge of Real Living Home Realty Group in The Market Common.  “We’ve been true to our mission from the start— to inform visitors and locals about what’s happening in the area.  Our staff shows that day in and day out.  And our community supports us because they feel like we’re supporting them.  “Our customers have expressed how much they enjoy working with our staff, and notice how much our staff enjoys what they do— bringing their messages forward in the community.  Being able to get the support from local businesses that see the value of what we bring to the table has been instrumental to our success.”  Neither Jim nor his business partner John Jobson have publishing backgrounds, but they’ve been able to compile a talented team with diverse skill sets to help bring their vision to fruition just by being plugged into the community and sensitive to what the community needs.  “My living here for the past forty-one years gives me the upper hand in that better than most,” Jim says.  “We didn’t know what we would need when we started down this path, but every time we’ve had a need we’ve been able to secure the right person for the position.  And once they’re here, they’re usually here to stay.  It’s made this project and undertaking a very enjoyable venture.”  “I am always amazed by the stories and the way this publication touches the human spirit of our community,” says John.  “The Insider exemplifies our unique culture of beach and Lowcountry, as well as the diversity of new residents from all over the world.  I’m proud of the positive influence it has upon our audience.”    To celebrate our third birthday, I asked questions and captured some musings from our entire Insider team, the people who work at the forefront as well as behind-the-scenes to bring you, our readers, the Coastal Insider every month.  Megan Parker is our Creative Director and also wears the hats of graphic designer and photographer.  Megan collaborated with her father, Jim, for months preceding the publishing of our very first edition, to help create the design of our publication.  Q: What are a few of the most rewarding aspects of what you do on a day to day basis? Megan: Connecting with the hearts of the people who make up the Grand Strand area, watching how businesses/causes/organizations benefit from our platform, and inspiring our team to be leaders in our beautiful community.   Q: What is one of the most important things you’ve learned in your three years at the Insider?  Megan: Valuing and nurturing a community like a mother nurtures a child.  The more you build the child (community) up the more they will succeed and gain confidence in themselves. Melissa LaScaleia has been bringing our publication to life with words since our first edition.  She also acts as editor, and finds it amusing when she writes about herself in the third person.  Q: What do you like most about your role? Melissa: I love the variety of topics that I cover and situations I encounter as an interviewer, researcher, and writer— and speaking to such a wide range of people.  I love being creative—  hearing peoples’ stories— being able to engage them, and draw them out to share with me.  It’s always whimsical, and never dull, not even when I expect it to be.  Latoya Grayson is our public relations director.  She is the face of our publication, and forges connections in our community on a daily basis.  Q: What has it been like to be with the Insider over the past two years? Latoya:  It has been adventurous.  I love seeing people doing what they’re passionate about— living their lives, in their element— and I love assisting them to build their business, to help them put their best foot forward in any way I possibly can.  It’s not a job for me.  I love what I do.  Rachel Ogg is one of our graphic designers, celebrating her one year anniversary with us this July. Q: What do you find most satisfying about what you do?  Rachel: Whenever I can bring someone’s vision to life for their ad, it makes me feel like I’m helping somebody and that feels great.  I enjoy the creative process— I like to create something beautiful.  Q: What is your environment like in the creative corner?  Rachel: I appreciate my team because we’re always supporting and encouraging each other to be the best we can be, both personally and professionally.  The energy here is dynamic, but my little corner is always very calm.  Charlie Miller is our director of operations and has been at the Insider for the past two years.  Q: What do you do as director of operations?  Charlie: I coordinate the operations for the real estate, property management, and the Coastal Insider divisions of the company— handling security, logistics, and IT.  Jen O’Leary has been a part of our team for the past year and a half as a receptionist and more recently, assists with distribution.  Q: What’s it like to be an insider at the Insider? Jen: You get the inside scoop on the entire creation process of the publication from start to finish— the photo shoots, interviews, articles, and advertisements coming up.  The neatest part is seeing it come together at the end, not just on a computer screen, but when it’s delivered and printed in hard copy.  “The biggest thing we can say,” says Jim, “is that we truly feel like … Read more

Graham Golf Cars

Offering Sales and Service for Myrtle Beach’s Favorite Toy by Melissa LaScaleia Russell Graham started Graham Golf Cars in the early ’80s— traveling around the Myrtle Beach area, servicing people’s golf carts.  Over the years, his company has grown from a single truck and trailer with three employees, to five retail locations and over fifty employees.  Despite his success, he is still as active in the business as he was in years past— stepping up to lend a hand whenever the need arises.    All of Graham Golf Cars locations sell, service, and rent golf cars; sell parts and accessories; and offer indoor golf cart storage.  Their Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach stores are two of the largest golf cart showrooms along the Grand Strand, where they sell customizable as well as basic cars.  Pre-owned cars start around $1,500; fully reconditioned ones start around the high $4,000s; and new range from $7,500-$11,000. Between both their locations, they have around two hundred gas and electric cars for sale.  Graham Golf Cars attributes their success to their business philosophy— that of taking care of the car and the customer for a lifetime.  “I came to work here five years ago after running my own business for forty-five years,” says Carl Sherman, a part-time salesman with Graham Golf Cars at the Myrtle Beach location. “I owned my own smoke and fire restoration business in North Carolina. Seven years ago, I was ready to retire, and built a house at the beach and moved here. Soon thereafter I told my wife, ‘I cannot sit around, I need something to do.’ Graham Golf Cars has an in-house fabrication department, and make parts and accessories on a daily basis so they can offer more to their customers. They have played a big part in designing and manufacturing new parts and accessories that are available nationwide. — Photo Meganpixels “I had a friend who worked for Mr. Graham, and he introduced us. Two days later, I came in and started working and I’ve been here ever since. I come through the door because I want to. There are a good bunch of people here— they’re friendly and make you feel like you’re family; we all work well together.  “During the time, I’ve been here, I’ve seen people come in and buy repeatedly from Russell because of the excellent customer service they receive. He follows up with them and does anything in his power to meet their needs. The people who work here extend the same level of service—it’s part of our company culture.”     Graham Golf Cars understands that being able to maintain and repair the product that you sell is just as important as being able to sell it. For that reason, they invest in their service technicians and the customer service of the repair department.  Graham Golf Cars has about twenty mechanics working in their shops, and nine service drivers. They cover Horry, Georgetown, and Brunswick County on a daily basis.  Every refurbished car comes with a warranty, and they’ll deliver it for a fee as far as Charleston; they offer free local delivery for the Grand Strand area. If something happens within that warranty period, they’ll pick up your car and repair it for you, and get it back to you as fast as possible.  Carl Sherman (left) and Ed Eckersley (right) of Graham Golf Cars, try a custom-painted golf car at their Myrtle Beach location. — Photo Meganpixels Parker In Myrtle Beach, golf cars are a way of life. Instead of owning a second car, many people instead invest in a golf car to move around the neighborhood. It’s less hair-raising to lend your teen, and fits in with the tempo and balmy climate with ease.  Graham Golf Cars has an in-house fabrication department so they can offer more to their customers. And they have played a big part in designing and manufacturing new parts and accessories that are available nationwide.  “People come in from everywhere wanting to buy the accessories that we make,” Carl says. “There’s a bar on the back of the cart called a safety bar. But Mr. Graham also turned it into a chair rack. In the summer we can’t even keep them in stock they’re so popular.  — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I really like to see when a customer comes in, looking for a golf car but not really knowing what they want, the excitement and enthusiasm on their face when they realize that they can special order a golf car and put together the color schemes and accessories that they want.  “I think seeing that they have a part in designing the car brings them joy. We do a lot of design work to help personalize and make the car their own. We often build between twenty to thirty a week. People are just as glad to get that golf car as they are to get a new car. It’s just remarkable to see their faces light up. People like to look good in their golf cars. They take a lot of pride in them.”  “I think Mr. Graham has a service here that can’t be touched by anybody else at the Beach,” he adds. “It’s unique to be able to purchase a golf car that you build from the bottom up. The price is fair, and the service can’t be beat. Graham Golf Cars wants to do everything they can to be a positive part of the experience of helping their customers acquire, upgrade or repair their golf car— to do what’s right for the car and the customer. We’re always here to help.” Graham Golf Cars 3900 South Kings Hwy. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 866-213-3978 M-Sa 8am-5pm www.grahamgolfcars.com Facebook

Having a Ball with the Pelicans

Welcoming the Deaf In Our Community With a Baseball Fundraiser by Melissa LaScaleia Michael Sokolik began the non-profit organization, Beach Society For the Deaf, now The Pelicans For the Deaf, in 2018. It began as a way to build greater awareness of the existence of deaf people in the Myrtle Beach community and to help foster greater inclusion for them. Michael’s inspiration was his daughter, Gracelyn, who at the age of two, was diagnosed deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other.  “Our overall function is to get people involved in the Deaf community by learning sign language,” he says.  Brooke Lipat and Amy Herrera were early supporters of the cause, and instrumental in the non-profit’s creation.  “People see the Deaf community in social media and the news, but most of the time don’t come in contact with deaf people personally,” says Brooke, who works in the education field with deaf and hard of hearing students.  “We want to bridge that gap and educate the community on how to interact with the deaf. It comes down to learning basic communication skills, or, in the absence of sign language, other methods. When people don’t understand how to communicate, they become intimidated and may, in response, ignore deaf people.”  For Brooke, education is primary, with networking coming in as a close second in importance.    Buddy Bailey’s jersey from Deaf Awareness Night is now on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. — Photo Milo Stewart “I teach an ASL class, but even my students don’t know how to reach out to the Deaf community at large. They want to be involved, but they’re not sure how. You really notice, especially in this area, that there isn’t a lot of connection between the Deaf and hearing communities— and that’s what our aim is. To be a presence here and show people what they can do to reach out and connect.”  The biggest problem that Brooke has noticed is when deaf people visit medical or public facilities where they are entitled to an interpreter, they often are not provided with adequate interpreting services.  “There are many deaf people in the area that are underserved or not aware of their rights, and it would help to have more people advocate on their behalf,” she says.  Brooke has a background in education, and six years ago, was looking to transition into a different field. She began taking sign language classes, and was introduced to her now husband and the larger Deaf community through her teacher.  “The Deaf community is there and they may be a minority population,” Brooke says, “but they want to be informed and make human connections just like anybody else. That’s what we’re hoping to do.”    Amy is a teacher for the deaf (TOD), and also teaches ASL at Horry Technical College. She helps Michael to set up interpreters through his non-profit, and as she is deaf, consults with him about Deaf culture to facilitate better accommodation for deaf people.  Amy’s daughter is the current Miss Summerville Teen from the Miss America organization. Several years ago she came up with the idea to promote deaf awareness— championing the belief that deaf people can do anything. Her platform is: Hands Can Talk. She is also fundraising for deaf children in our county to procure them scholarships to summer camps so that they can interact with their peers.     The 2018 game was such a big hit when it was held, that it was memorialized in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, for being a legendary event. — Photo Milo Stewart “A lot of deaf people are isolated from the community, myself included,” Amy says.  “But deaf people can be successful.”     Amy was excited when Michael approached her two years ago about the possibility of a Pelican’s Fundraiser Baseball game in Myrtle Beach. The 2018 game was such a big hit when it was held, that it was put in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY for being a legendary event. Since that event took place, she has noticed her ASL class has significantly increased in size.  Jim Fleming is the current president of The Pelicans For the Deaf. When he moved to Myrtle Beach several years ago, he was astonished that there were no deaf activities here. As a deaf person, Jim helped establish the Chicago branch of the National Racquetball Association for the Deaf which he was involved with for twenty-five years, acting as president for tournaments, and fulfilling the role of chairperson four times.  When Jim met Michael, the two immediately began collaborating about implementing a myriad of deaf activities. Jim was eager to help out, and years later, continues to be a motivational driving force, getting people involved.     “People all over the area really look forward to these events,” he says.  Pelicans for the Deaf board members, from left to right: Michael Sokolik, Dawn, Art, Barbara, Chis, Carol, Jim, Diana, and Ryan. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Jim is currently looking at securing access planning for a Deaf Health EXPO and Christmas parties, as well as life exposure opportunities in general.  “It’s moving to see the emotion deaf people have from these interactions,” he says. “A lot of deaf people have very little interaction with other deaf people until they come to these activities. I facilitated meetings like this in Illinois, and it made a big impact on people. That’s something I’d like to do in Myrtle Beach.  “My goal for this whole program, is that we as a society, make sure that deaf people have access to experiences and the potential to living a fulfilled life. Yes, you’re a deaf person in a hearing world, and sometimes it’s difficult. Many feel like they will never match up. But I want teens to grow up knowing that they have peers like them. Sometimes these children grow up in a family with no sign language skills. Setting a program up like this … Read more

ER Home LLC — Interior Design and General Contracting

We Have No Problems— Only Solutions by Melissa LaScaleia Eric Richards has always been passionate about being creative. He attended college interested in learning the craft of furniture building, but where he really excelled was in the realm of interior design.  “My teachers were blown away by my proficiency and I was too,” he says. “It just came naturally. How I got this gift, I don’t know, but I’m grateful I have it and I don’t take it for granted.”  He also obtained his general contracting license and became certified in green construction and green building practices— skills essential for his creation process. Eric sees architecture— including plumbing, hardware, electrical fixtures, and flooring— as integral components of interior design.  When he began his own business, ER Home LLC, he decided to combine both the services of interior design and general contracting.  “Interior design is not as much about decorating as people believe,” he explains. “It’s about form and function— configuring a space and utilizing a space. But to get to that point, a lot of work has to be done in terms of architectural construction— the installation of things. I love doing those things.”  Eric has a vision for the home, and ER Home implements that vision from beginning to end working as an all-inclusive, multi-talented contractor. He and his team complete painting; wallpapering; flooring; tile work; custom furniture design and building; refurbishment; carpentry; kitchen remodeling; electrical and plumbing work; and decorating. If there’s something they don’t feel comfortable doing, they’ll pull from their library of qualified professionals to accomplish the job.  “People don’t have time to wait around for multiple contractors to get things done in a home,” Eric says. “So we pride ourselves on being able to give an expedited face-lift, if you will. Most of our clients are completed in a week to three weeks maximum, beginning to end.”  Additionally, Eric spent six months in San Francisco studying with a feng shui master.  “I was already implementing many of the feng shui practices in my designs for ER Home without being able to define them as such,” he explains. “Then, in the ’90s, when feng shui became more popular, I recognized how my own designs mirrored much of that discipline, and decided to learn from a master.  Those studies gave me a confident understanding of the choices I was making. They allowed me to elaborate my visions and give my clients things they didn’t even know they wanted. It’s nothing I question now, it’s just second nature in how I design a space.  “We as humans think we see with our direct eye, but we actually see more with our peripheral vision. When we’re in nature, there’s a natural flow to it— that’s why you feel soothed. This same peripheral flow that exists in nature, I try to replicate in the home. Coming from the outside to inside and seeing a drastic change will confuse the eye.”  ER Home approaches interior design as a process that unfolds.  “The longer you’re personally in the home and around the clients,” he says, “the more they all speak to you. So the different layers will change throughout the process. Because of this, I don’t provide drafts or even sketches. There’s a psychology about working with clients and with design— you have to be able to use psychology to marry many different styles together— of husbands and wives, or partners.”  “My job is to take a client’s vision if they have one, improve it, expand it, and excel with it beyond what they can see in their minds,” he says in speaking more about the ER Home approach. “Most of my clients though, will come in and see something I’ve done, and say, ‘This is what I like, this is my budget, have at it.’” A lot of people have the idea that interior design is extremely costly. But Eric is a firm believer that in today’s market, beautiful things are readily available at a low cost. He and his clients create a budget and stick to it as closely as possible.    “If somebody has a budget of $200, I will give them the maximum they can get for $200,” he says. “If they have a budget of $200,000, they’ll be treated the same exact way. It’s really not about the amount of money as much as it is about what the client wants and needs. My favorite phrase for life and work is: ‘we have no problems, we only have solutions.’  “That is my daily quote for work and life. And I love it when my clients adopt it for themselves and I begin to hear them utilizing it in their daily lives.”  His financial accessibility and varied skills make ER Home a popular choice for those in Myrtle Beach and beyond. In the Market Common alone, over the past 6-7 years, his company has redesigned 72 homes. Many people hire him to consult with them about design as they are building their home.  Eric has also spent more than half of his career traveling— executing projects in Maine, NY, Boston, California, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Virginia. He completed the redesign for a Pulmonary Institute in Philadelphia last year, and just took on another medical facility in the same area.  For several years, he was the head designer for Lowes Motor Speedway, a multi-billion dollar racetrack venue in Charlotte, NC. Eric was responsible for designing their 5-star restaurant, glassed-in penthouse suites, ballrooms, meeting rooms, and boardrooms— and harmonizing all the spaces together.  Fifteen years ago, Luxury Living, a high-end magazine, caught wind of ER Home and Eric’s talents and wanted to feature him in their Christmas edition.   “I had to decorate my house from top to bottom completely for Christmas in August,” he says. “It was a very large seventeen room house. And I had nine Christmas trees. Every room had a different theme. I loved it so much it stayed up until February. It was absolutely beautiful, I will never forget. I was pulling pieces from thrift stores, department stores, from clients, friends, and family; these were the days before the internet. And it was really so much fun.”  … Read more

Crepe Creations Cafe Introduces: The Martini Bar

Late Nights and a 1920s Vibe by Melissa LaScaleia Since its arrival in the Market Common, Crepe Creations Cafe has charmed patrons with its old-world inspired crepes and steady expansion both of menu and space. Last year they procured a liquor license, and introduced a full bar to their offerings. Several months ago, they finished another remodel to include an electric fireplace, a full kitchen, and an expansive, open dining space.  These days they have live music nightly, and last month they rolled out their newest enhancement— a Martini bar.  The owners convinced Christopher Ware, who is an expert on Martinis— having acquired that knowledge from working as a bartender in the Beverly Hills and Melrose areas of LA, to exchange one sunny coast for another and spearhead its creation.  “I know everything there is to know about the Martini,” Christopher says with enthusiasm. “Its origin; history; how to make the perfect one; the rules for making one,’ and whether it should be shaken or stirred.”  (Stirred only please, no matter what James Bond requests.) Christopher is enchanted with the Martini because of its unique history and versatility as a drink, and is adept at making everything from the classics, to the so-called candy Martinis.  The Martini was born during the California Gold Rush of 1800, in Martinez, just outside of San Francisco, when a frequent bar patron there used to regularly request his own concoction—  a mixture of gin, dry vermouth, maraschino liquor, and a dash of bitters. Others got curious to try it, people loved it— and the drink took off in the small city. It essentially named itself, as people began to refer to it according to its place of birth. Over time, the name got shortened, and those requesting it asked for a Martini.  Variations on a them— the Martini. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Christopher’s other passion is for cocktails from the prohibition era— that period of history from 1920-1933 when alcohol was illegal to sell, but not illegal to drink. To get around the law, people would make alcohol at home in their bathtubs with varying levels of skill, and the underground bars they sold it to would have to come up with very creative ways to make the inferior spirits taste good. “Knowledge of prohibition cocktails is uncommon amongst bartenders,” Christopher says. “But they are some of the more creative and appealing drinks. Where I came from in LA, that was one of my specialties.”  Enter Late Nights at the Cafe, where every Friday and Saturday night, the cafe transforms into a prohibition-themed Martini bar serving cocktails from that era to the accompanying beats of jazz, swing, and big band music.  And they are made with only 100% freshly squeezed juices— whether ordered day or night.  “Late Nights has a different feel to it though,” Christopher says. “It’s adults only, with a prohibition-era bar atmosphere.”  Crepe Creation Cafe 4012 Deville Street Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Open for dining: Su-Th 8am-9pm; Fr-Sa 8am-10pm Martini Bar: Fr-Sa 10pm-2am 843-839-4019 www.crepecreation.com Facebook@ Crepe Creation Cafe

Moore, Johnson and Saraniti — Meet Nancy Zovnic

Giving a Personal Touch to All Her Clients by Melissa LaScaleia Nancy Zovnic practices real estate law at Moore, Johnson & Saraniti Law Firm in Myrtle Beach. She handles the legal aspects of home purchases and sales, refinances, seller sides, and home equity lines of credit.  Nancy has been practicing law since 2006. Originally from the Chicago area, she moved to Myrtle Beach as a teenager when her family relocated here. After attending college at USC, she received her law degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.  “I took a business law class in high school that I really enjoyed,” she says. “So I decided to pursue further studies in law. As I gained experience, I realized that I favored transactional law over litigation. I really like the field of real estate. I enjoy working with happy people, and those who are buying or selling a home generally are.”  After graduation, Nancy returned to the beach, and found her place at Moore, Johnson & Saraniti.  The team of Moore, Johnson & Saraniti — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I love how friendly people are in Myrtle Beach,” she says. “I like that this is an all-female firm— I get along well with the other attorneys here.”  As an attorney, Nancy enjoys working with her clients directly, rather than indirectly through a paralegal.  “It’s rare that an attorney will call their clients at the onset of the closing, but I like to have a personal relationship with each client,” she says. “It allows them to put a face to a name. It allays their fears, and helps to establish trust, so they feel assured that everything will run smoothly with their transaction. My favorite thing about my job is the people that I get to meet.”  Moore, Johnson, and Saraniti Law Firm, P.A. Nancy Zovnic 1271 Glenns Bay Road Surfside Beach, SC 29575 843-650-9757 www.grandstrandlawyers.com Facebook @ Moore Johnson Saraniti Law Firm

eNation Worldwide

If a Website Is In Your Plans, Put It In eNation’s Hands by Melissa LaScaleia eNation Worldwide is a digital media firm that helps the small to mid-sized local business owner increase their business through digital marketing using tools such as web design; SEO (search engine optimization); social media marketing; SEM (search engine marketing via Google ads, Facebook ads, etc.); mobile app development; and more.  “Our mission is simple: to use our digital tools to get your business found online,” says founder and CEO Jacquie Gonzalez. “We do everything we do—web design, social media, etc. —through the lens of SEO.”  eNation wants to ensure that they are putting your brand into the hands of your potential customers. As such, they keep up with over forty different ranking factors that Google considers to be important— so that you don’t have to.  “One wouldn’t start a business without a plan,” Jacquie says, “and when we work with our clients to create a website, or perform SEO, or run Google ads, or post on social media, we have a solid plan to get your business from being lost in the shuffle, to being found.”  Jacquie worked in advertising and marketing for twelve years with Next Media Radio. By 2006, she perceived a growing need for small businesses to have their own websites as well as tools to make their name known.  She began her company to fill this gap, here in Myrtle Beach.  “I didn’t know a lot about web design, but I knew a lot about how to help a business with marketing and advertising,” Jacquie says. “I met a young, talented web developer who wanted to work with me, and for the first year, I took him with me to every client meeting. He was able to answer technical, web-related questions, and I helped people determine their goals for their new websites in terms of how it could grow their business.  Jacquie Gonzalez (left), with her husband and business partner, Drew (right). — Photo Meganpixels Parker “My goal was to bring the consulting side to web design. I found that most web designers at the time were coders who knew very little about marketing. I knew very little about code, but a lot about marketing.”  Over the next two years, Jacquie gained a lot of knowledge. In 2008, she became certified in search engine optimization—long before Google was a major part of the local advertising scene. She knew it was coming though.  “Seeing and perceiving trends is something I am good at,” she says. “And I knew that digital would soon overtake local advertising with lightning speed.”  In 2010, the company was offering social media marketing as Facebook was on the rise. Soon, they were the first full-service digital marketing firm in the Myrtle Beach area. They also became a national vendor for digital services for a radio marketing company. Over the next five years, they amassed over 300 clients in Myrtle Beach, across the U.S., and in Canada.  In 2012, Jacquie’s husband, Drew, retired from a twenty-year career in the restaurant management industry to work with his wife full time as co-owner and social media manager.  Today, eNation Worldwide has a small team lead by the couple. There is Tom Morgan, their lead web developer who has worked with them since 2007; Joanne Arneburg, who worked with Jacquie as an SEO apprentice for five years, and continues to work with SEO clients; Renee Midrack, their professional writer and content creator; and JJ Sierra, who started as an intern from Coastal Carolina University, and now works with them part-time.    “We all live and work here in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand,” Jacquie says. “We love this area, and love seeing it evolve and change.”  “The very nature of our business is all about continuous evolution,” Jacquie says. “Nothing stays stagnant in our industry. We stay ahead of the curve to give our clients the best competitive edge.” — Photo Meganpixels Parker Just as they love seeing their own and their clients’ businesses grow.     “The very nature of our business is all about continuous evolution,” Jacquie says. “Nothing stays stagnant in our industry. We have to stay ahead of the curve, keep our thumbs on the pulse of Google, and make sure we stay ahead of changing technology to give our clients the best competitive edge. That being said, doing all the right things consistently over time is also a big key to our growth and success. The methods may change, but the approach doesn’t.”  By the time of this printing, eNation Worldwide will have just launched a new mobile app. Called My Insider, this is an awesome app for locals and tourists in Myrtle Beach to take advantage of everything the community has to offer.  “Most of our business comes from referrals from our current clients,” Jacquie says. “We love the relationships we have built with our clients over the years, and are passionate about supporting them. We truly put our hearts and souls into our work. We readily make ourselves available to our clients and offer 24/7 tech support.  “As far as SEO, there are very few people in the country who have the experience, certifications, and intuition that I have, which gives our clients a competitive advantage.”  eNation Worldwide offers a free SEO analysis of your current business website, Google rankings, social media accounts, as well as that of your competition.  “We will look at your business through ‘the eyes’ of Google and provide a road map to get to where you would like to be,” she says. “We would love the opportunity to work with you to grow your business.”  eNation Worldwide, LLC  1293 Professional Drive, Suite D Myrtle Beach, SC 29577   843-340-2577   www.enationworldwide.com  Facebook @ Myrtle Beach Web Design and SEO

In Touch Counseling and Hypnotherapy

Hope, Heal, Thrive with Barbara Cardinal, LISW by Melissa LaScaleia Barbara Cardinal is a licensed independent social worker who owns and operates the Myrtle Beach based, In Touch Counseling and Hypnotherapy. In her work, she focuses on therapy and counseling, specializing in treating people struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, loss, divorce, retirement, and other major life transitions.  “I originally was an elementary school teacher before going back to school to get a master’s degree in clinical social work,” she says. “I am from a family with mental illness, so I was very aware of people’s mental and emotional health. I’ve always been interested in how the brain works and how to go through life feeling our best.”  “Particularly depression,” she adds. “It’s so prevalent, and yet there is so much stigma associated with it. It is really quite layered and manifests differently for everyone. I’m passionate about helping people to achieve relief and bringing awareness to the general public. Living with depression is a very difficult way to go through life.”  “My other main area of interest is life transitions,” she says. “Especially as I get older. Some people with whom I work have spent their lives raising children, or working high-powered jobs; now, later in life, they feel depressed and are struggling with a loss of purpose or value.”  Barbara worked as a social worker full time in upstate New York before she retired and moved to Myrtle Beach three years ago. After retirement, she missed her profession so much that she decided to open her own business and continue privately.     In Touch Counseling and Hypnotherapy is unique in that Barbara not only conducts counseling, but it also a certified clinical hypnotherapist. She focuses this area of her work on assisting clients with achieving their goals of smoking cessation, weight loss, anxiety, and breaking unwanted habits.  Barbara Cardinal of InTouch Counseling. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Most of us hold limiting beliefs which keep us from living larger, happier lives,” she says. “Hypnotherapy is a tool which helps to reprogram the subconscious mind. It creates new neural pathways that make change easier and permanent. I use it as a tool in addition to other forms of therapy. It’s not magic, but it does assist people in breaking habitual patterns and making the positive changes lasting.”  Barbara receives many questions about hypnosis. She wants people to understand that you never lose control when you’re in a hypnotized state. She likens it to a relaxed, dream-like state, in which you work in partnership with the hypnotherapist to help achieve your goals.  “Anybody who can understand directions can be hypnotized,” she says. “It’s a very gentle process.”  As part of her business, Barbara also began a program called Let’s Talk. This is a brief, thirty minute phone session in which she provides a listening ear and gentle insight.  “This is for somebody who wants to talk through a small issue for a little bit of time; it’s for somebody in the midst of a crisis who needs a quick listening ear; for current clients; or for prospective clients who want to get a feel for me,” she explains.  — Photo Meganpixels Parker Barbara is also passionate about teaching people how to listen. She developed a program thirty years ago, which she still offers; it’s called Deep Listening.  “It’s for couples, individuals, parents and businesses,” she says. “Deep listening is a skill that anyone can learn. It enriches relationships and creates understanding. Truly listening to another deepens intimacy and enhances success in personal as well as professional lives.”     Beginning May 14, Barbara and her colleague Kay Dobis, a certified nutrition specialist, are facilitating a six-week Women’s Intuitive Eating Group.  “I was inspired to start this program because of my own history with dieting as well as working with so many women over the years who struggle with their relationship with food and their bodies,” Barbara says.  “The program is designed to assist people in stopping the incessant battle with food— to make peace with themselves and food. The process of dieting typically doesn’t work long term, so I began searching for something that would. That’s when I discovered the research of mindful and intuitive eating. When I met Kay, she was studying this as well. We are thrilled to be offering this group.” In Touch Counseling Hypnotherapy 317 Wellness Drive Myrtle Beach, SC 29579   843-972-4410  Women’s Group early bird discount through May 5. Call to register. www.intouchcounselingandhynotherapy.com Facebook @ In Touch Counseling and Hypnotherapy.  SC LISW #12497

Swift Services Heating and Cooling

Providing White Gloved Customer Service to the Grand Strand— Just Follow the Snowman to Comfort  by Melissa LaScaleia Swift Services Heating and Cooling provides installations, maintenance, repairs, and replacements on all heating and cooling systems for everyone from the border of North Carolina to Georgetown in the south, and as far inland as Aynor and parts of Marion County.  “We also address air quality with Air duct cleaning, repair, replacement, UV lights, and filter changes,” says Scott Stewart, the company’s marketing director, “and conduct home energy reports to test the efficiency of your system to see if it’s burning more watts because it’s older— running up your electric bill. The report tells you if there are parts in the system you could switch out to save you money. We offer free energy report consultations and free new installation quotes. The majority of our work is residential, but we do some commercial work as well.”  Swift Services Heating and Cooling just celebrated their seven year anniversary. Every year since they’ve opened, they have been a winner or finalist for both the Chronicle and Herald’s Reader’s Choice Award; and they’ve won the Best of the Beach Award every year for the past six years.    The company is owned by Joseph Mascetti, who has lived in Myrtle Beach for the past twenty-four years. He’s been working in the heating and cooling industry for thirty-five years— beginning as a technician and installer and working his way up in the industry before deciding to branch out on his own.  “We stand by the work we do giving our customers a 100% money back guarantee,” says Scott. “The way we run our business is 100% oriented with our customers in mind— to offer the best customer service and quality of service.”  Joseph Mascetti, owner and operator of Swift Services, has been working in the heating and cooling industry for the past thirty-five years. — Photo Meganpixels Parker In keeping with that, Swift Services offers two annual service agreements for their customers. The bronze membership includes one free tune-up on your heating/cooling system a year; the silver membership includes two.  “It’s best to have your unit cleaned and checked to prepare your unit for the switch-over twice a year, in the spring and fall,” Scott says, “because it will help to extend the life of your system. When you have a drastic change in temperature, as we do here, it puts strain on the unit. Maintaining it twice a year helps prevent it from shutting down when the temperatures hit extreme highs in the summer and extreme lows in the winter.  “Having an annual or bi-annual agreement takes the guesswork and inconvenience out of remembering to schedule that service when people’s lives are already so busy.”  Members receive 20% off any service; silver memberships gives you a discounted diagnostic fee in the event that something breaks. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the program is that all members receive Emergency Priority Service. If at any time you call for emergency service, you are guaranteed top of the list if there are fifty people ahead of you in the queue. And they offer monthly as well as annual payment plans for both memberships.  For all after-hours service calls, there is a live person who answers the phone so you will be taken care of quickly. You never have to leave a message and wonder if they received it or not.  “We don’t charge an emergency evening, weekend, holiday fee,” Scott says. “If your unit breaks on Christmas Day at 1am it will cost the same to have it fixed as if you were to call on a Tuesday at 2pm.”  For installations, Swift Services will conduct a free home survey to make sure that you receive the appropriate system for your house.  “They are not a one size fits all,” Scott says. “There are a lot of factors that determine which system is appropriate— such as how many vents are in a house, or the size and shape of the house.”  Swift Services registers all of their equipment and installations through the county permitting office, which means the county will come out to inspect the installation to verify that everything is done properly.  “It’s just one more step to show that we stand behind the quality of our work for our customers; the verification holds us accountable,” Scott says.  Additionally, every installation comes with a manufacturers warranty— and Swift Services also offers a labor and service agreement with free maintenance for a year. The company’s vehicles stand at the ready to assist customers with their heating and cooling needs, day or night. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We understand and respect all budgets and have financing options available to work with our customers,” Scott says. “We don’t charge an hourly rate for labor, we charge by the service. And keep our technicians only as technicians— they are not salesmen.”  This past January, Swift Services opened their new location at Fred Nash Boulevard. They built the new office from the ground up— and customized it to fit their company’s needs and to be a reflection of their brand. The outside of their building is painted in their company color—baby blue— and they set aside a training facility to conduct continuing education trainings and seminars for their technicians.  “Every morning the operations manager has a meeting with our technicians and teaches them a new topic about changes, new products, or technological advances,” Scott says. “And twice a week, Joseph comes and teaches a seminar. We also have access to additional training resources based on the partnerships that we have. Every month, our technicians are required to log hours in these additional training skills. Things are constantly changing. It’s important that our technicians stay current with their knowledge and move with the trends in the industry as systems become more technologically advanced; it’s equally important that they receive refresher courses for situations that they don’t experience a lot.”  Swift Service’s new building houses an onsite warehouse which acts as a storage facility for some of … Read more

Moore, Johnson & Saraniti Law Firm

The Coastal Insider

Trusted, Experienced, Compassionate by Melissa LaScaleia Moore, Johnson, and Saraniti is a local law firm, started in 2001, that has grown over the years and is now comprised of five female attorneys – three senior partners: V. Lee Moore, Sarah A. Johnson, and Elizabeth J. Saraniti; junior partner, Angela D. Harrison; and associate attorney, Nancy M. Zovnic.  The firm practices in the areas of general litigation; estate planning; probate administration; family law; commercial and residential real estate; corporate; collections; community association representation; and personal injury.  “We are committed to providing ethical representation that is responsive to our clients,” says Angela, who’s been with the firm since 2012. “We look at each individual situation, and customize what we have to offer to meet our clients’ unique needs.  The attorneys of the all-female firm, Moore, Johnson & Saraniti. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I like that I get to meet people in all stages of their lives— to learn about their individual situation and be creative to find a solution to their problem that works for them.”  This is the time of year that many people review their finances and other important documents, and the attorneys of Moore, Johnson, and Saraniti are here to assist you with all your estate planning needs.  “A lot of people believe that because they’ve moved to South Carolina, a new will is necessary, but that is not always accurate,” Angela says. “We look at your current documents to confirm that they are valid in this state and that they still accomplish your goals. We also review Powers of Attorney, which I see as the most important documents, because the person you appoint will be making decisions about the allocation of your funds and administering health care while you are alive but in a vulnerable state.  “Whether someone has just moved to the area and needs their out-of-state wills reviewed, or whether they need health care power of attorney or financial power of attorney, that’s something we can help them with.”  Moore, Johnson, and Saraniti Law Firm  1271 Glenns Bay Road Surfside Beach, SC 29575   843-650-9757 www.grandstrandlawyers.com  Facebook @ Moore Johnson Saraniti Law Firm

The Big “M” Casino

South Carolina’s Only Casino Boat is in Little River by Melissa LaScaleia The Big “M” Casino first arrived in South Carolina in 2008. They have two luxury yachts that sail daily from Little River’s harbor. Aboard the boat, patrons enjoy dining, beautiful views, entertainment, camaraderie, and of course, gambling.  Land-based casinos are illegal in South Carolina. But three miles off shore, in international waters, those rules don’t apply. Twice a day, at 11am and 6:30pm, patrons board the The Big “M” Casino boat and sail from shore to try their luck at slot machines as well as table games like black jack, craps, roulette, let it ride, and three card poker.  During the forty-five minute boat ride to and from international waters, The Big “M” entertains with live music, shows, or bingo depending on the day; and there is always the joy of being out on the open water with spectacular views.  “We pay out an average of $336,000 in winnings per week,” says Eda Ekincigil, marketing coordinator for The Big “M” Casino. — Photo The Big M Casino “We are the only casino boat in the Carolinas,” says Eda Ekincigil, Marketing Coordinator for The Big “M” Casino. “It’s a unique experience in South Carolina. It’s fun and different. Some people come just to enjoy a nice sunset cruise or time with their friends. You don’t need to play to be onboard.”  The first floor of the boat allows smoking and houses the main casino; the dining room and slot machines are located on the second, and is a non-smoking area; and the third level is the deck— which is partially enclosed, and allows smoking.  The Big “M” has capacity for 450 people. Those aboard have three hours of playing time before the casino closes and the boat returns to Little River. They pay out an average of $336,000 in winnings per week.     The first floor of the Big “M” Casino houses the main casino area. — Photo The Big M Casino The Big “M” offers many promotions. Those with a current military id can board for free, and receive a buy-one-get-one-free buffet voucher.  Every Tuesday is Senior Day, with free boarding for everyone 55 years of age and up. Ladies Night is on Fridays, with free boarding and a buy-one-get-one-free buffet for ladies. No matter the promotion, everyone is required to pay the $10 port tax.     You can also receive a Players Club card for free on your first visit which entitles you to a successive boarding for $10 no matter the time of day. Coupons for The Big “M” can be found in area publications, as well as on their website. Also check their website for their most current list of promotions, offerings, and sailing days and times.  The Big “M” Casino 4491 Mineola Ave. Little River, SC 29566 843-249-9811; 877-250-LUCK www.bigmcasino.com Facebook @ The Big M Casino Boarding twice daily. Must be 21+ to sail. 

South Strand Dental

Creating Beautiful Smiles by Melissa LaScaleia “I grew up in Fayetteville, NC,” says Dr. Daniel W. Miller, Jr. “My grandfather was a dentist, and growing up, I used to spend a lot of time with him during the summer months; so began my love affair with dentistry.”  Dr. Miller attended Mars Hill University in the mountains of North Carolina, where he decided to take a pre-med track and double-majored in Biology and Chemistry. He received his degree in dental medicine from The Medical University of South Carolina in 1978. He’s been in practice for forty-one years.  Dr. Miller began his career in Dillon, SC, but eventually, the allure of the ocean brought him and his wife and children to the Grand Strand. They have called Murrells Inlet home since 1993.  Dr. Miller joined Dr. Philip N. Render in practice in 1995. Dr. Miller became the primary partner in the business in 2008. Today he owns the practice with his son Daniel W. Miller III.  Dr. Miller is encouraged: “The future of our practice is in the competent hands of Dr. Daniel W. Miller III, and our new associate, Dr. Benjamin H. Collins.”  Dr. Daniel W. Miller III followed in his father’s footsteps and has been practicing dentistry for fifteen years. He received his undergraduate degree from Wofford College, and received his degree in Dental Medicine from The Medical University of South Carolina in 2004. Dr. Dan also calls Murrells Inlet home and enjoys it with his wife and two children.  Their newest associate is Dr. Benjamin H. Collins, a native of Perry, GA. He came to love the Grand Strand while attending Coastal Carolina University where he received his undergraduate degree in Biology. He also played football at Coastal Carolina University and is a proud Chanticleer. Dr. Collins went on to receive his degree in dental medicine from The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. In his spare time he enjoys golf and the Inlet life.  “I’m sure my sentiment is echoed by Dr. Dan and Dr. Collins when I say how lucky we are to live and work in a fast growing, ever changing, and diverse community,” says Dr. Miller. “We look forward to serving the dental needs of our community for a long time to come.” South Strand Dental Associates P. A. Envelope Phone Internet-explorer

Beach Landscaping

Our Grass is Always Greener by Melissa LaScaleia Matt Freedman, the owner of Beach Landscaping in Myrtle Beach, is originally from the Washington, D.C. area. After relocating to Myrtle Beach, Matt and his father, Bob, started a commercial cleaning business. After nurturing it successfully over the years, Matt was looking for a new challenge.  In 2000, he and his father teamed up with a partner to start a landscaping business; in 2010, they separated from their partner, and have been running the company together, as Beach Landscaping, ever since.  “I didn’t have much landscaping experience when I first started,” Matt says, “and neither did our business partner. I basically learned on the job, through hands-on doing it.  “One of the reasons why we were able to get business from the onset was that we called people back and followed through with what we said we were going to do. It was basically our customer service, and we stick with that to this day.  “It’s huge for people that we’re here and we’re accountable for what we provide. People continue to be amazed that we actually return their calls.”  Beach Landscaping has since grown from its humble origins, but remains a true family owned and operated business. Matt and Bob spearhead the operation, and Matt’s wife Tracy manages the accounting and scheduling.  Since those early days, Matt has learned a lot about plants and landscaping— investing in formal education, attending classes, and logging hours in the study of plant identification, pesticide application, and weed identification and control. The trio oversees a team of about twenty employees.  “We try to maintain as much communication with our clients as we can,” he says in speaking about what makes his company stand out. “Rich is instrumental to our team— he follows up behind our grounds crew to make sure they’re doing everything according to our standards. We have a lot of old-time customers at this point, and we take care of them.  “We have a lot of different avenues and infrastructure in place so that when people call, they have access to someone on our team who is there for them, to listen and assist them quickly and easily. If there’s a conflict, Rich is the one that we send to go talk to the homeowners to understand the problem and make things right. Our team is pretty stable; that just helps to make us more effective because we are familiar working with one another.”  Today, Beach Landscaping offers numerous landscaping services for both businesses and residences: regular lawn mowing and maintenance services; bed design, planting, and maintenance; bush, perennial, palm and other tree pruning services; full landscape design; and irrigation installation and servicing.  They also cover you and your yard for spring and fall cleanup, overturn soil, give recommendations on what plants would thrive in specific areas of your yard, and conduct soil testing and treatment for lawns that need more perk. The only thing they don’t do is take down large trees.  Beach Landscaping also offers design and execution for hardscapes, paver patios and walkways, and retaining walls. These latter skills evolved over time, Matt explains, as along the way, they hired and met individuals who were skilled in these additional areas, until Matt and his father were able to expand their repertoire of offerings on their own.  Their ability to successfully teach themselves new skills, and consistently offer excellent services with great attention to customers is both impressive and inspiring.     “In the last year, there’s been a lot of growth in our company,” Matt says. “We’ve become better organized all around, and we’re expanding a lot of our hardscape offerings. We’ve purchased new lawn care equipment and are more effective in our lawn care maintenance as a result.”    Matt’s favorite thing about his job is doing a complete landscape redesign for a customer. “I enjoy have a clean palate to work from, going in and having everything new from the beginning,” he says.  With spring right around the corner, now is the time to clean up your yard. Beach Landscaping offers spring clean-ups— they clean up leaves, branches, debris, prune shrubs and trees, cut back Crepe Myrtles, and ornamental grasses, and generally put your yard in order.  “If you’re a regular customer, we don’t need to come in and do a big clean-up because we’ve been doing it all along,” Matt says. “But a lot of people let things go all winter long and need more service.”  And for those who prefer to do things on their own, Beach Landscaping has begun to put together a series of informational videos so people can educate themselves about how to properly take care of their yard and lawn. “Our first video was on recognizing lawn disease and treating it,” Matt says. “We also created one on the scale insects that affect trees and shrubs—how to identify them and what to do about them. Each video is about 2-3 minutes long, and includes things that people can do to help themselves with these issues.”  Coming up, their next video will include information on how to prep your yard for spring by cutting back perennials and pruning Crepe Myrtles. The videos come out every other month or so and are posted on their Facebook page. Beach Landscaping Inc. PO Box 70937, Myrtle Beach, 29572 Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

Painting with a Twist

​Through ART, We Inspire People to Have FUN and Create Lasting MEMORIES by Melissa LaScaleia Mike Heatherman and his wife, Chris, were living in Ohio. After their two daughters were grown and in college, they were looking for a way to move to a warmer climate.  “In 2016, our daughters were home from college on a break and we were looking for something fun to do as a family,” Mike says. “We went to Painting with a Twist in Ohio, and had such a great time that my wife and I decided that it was something we could move south and do.  “We owned a condo in Myrtle Beach already, and always liked coming here. We thought it was a nice community, with a nice change of seasons, but no snow. So Chris retired from public school teaching Spanish, and we moved here and opened our own franchise location.  “At Painting with a Twist, we create fun art, not fine art. People come as a group or individually, and take a class and learn how to paint a painting.”  “It’s more about the experience and having fun than trying to become an artist,” Mike explains. “We play music. People can bring their own wine or beer, or they can buy it from us. And at the same time, they can take something home that they created.”  The Painting with a Twist studio location in Myrtle Beach, SC. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Classes last from 2-3 hours, during which time, people can select from creating a traditional canvas painting to painting on wood, wine glasses, or their newest medium: a Rebeca Flott screen. This is a type of wood screen painting; mud is applied over a screen and then paint is applied over the mud. The screen can be hung in the window and light comes in around the 3D painting.  “We have activities that are perfect for date night, girls night out, parties, team building and corporate outings, or just to come out and have a good time in a safe place,” Mike says. “We also host Paint with Your Hero events for children. We teach local firemen and policemen how to paint a simple painting and then they teach the children. Our space is big enough to hold up to seventy people, or two private parties simultaneously.”  Mike and Chris are passionate about giving back to the local community.  “We hold what’s called a Painting with a Purpose event— where we give 50% of our proceeds back to a charity,” Mike says. “Our goal is to hold them monthly. We are looking for charities on an ongoing basis to partner with to be recipients.”  Painting with a Twist offers offsite painting parties if you prefer to have one in your own locale. They also host kids camps during the summer months and during school breaks. Painting with a Twist Myrtle Beach  Visit their website for their class schedule.  Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

Coastal Carolina Home Watch

Your Eyes and Ears When You’re Not Here by Melissa LaScaleia Coastal Carolina Home Watch performs house-check and keyholder services for homeowners who maintain a home at the Beach but do not live here year-round.  “My late wife and I purchased a condo in Surfside Beach back in the mid-’90s,” says Jack Luber, the owner. “We lived in New Jersey full time and came down for vacations and would rent our place when we weren’t using it. But we discovered that there was no one here that we could rely on to keep an eye on it. We were 750 miles away and couldn’t monitor it from that distance.  “Things happen when you’re not around and you have no way of knowing if someone isn’t checking—insects and pests, mold, cracks, leaks, fires, break-ins, vandalism, storm damage. And if you don’t discover those things right away, they can turn into big problems that cost a lot of money and aggravation. It’s very frustrating and upsetting to show up ready for a vacation, only to be greeted with a problem instead.     “We started this business because we needed this service. Because of the amount of renters and tourists in our area, there are always different people going in and out of homes, and no one is really paying attention. We realized that other people must need a service like this too.”  Jack started Coastal Caroline Home Watch in 2005. They perform weekly or bi-monthly house checks, using a checklist customized to your specifications, to make sure things are okay and running smoothly in your absence. They can also customize a visiting schedule.  “An empty home is a vulnerable home,” Jack says. “If somebody moves into your home in your absence, they have what is called adverse possession and they have legal rights to stay. Removing them is not as easy as you would think. Depending on how long they have been there, affects how hard it is to evict them.”  Jack has also seen instances where an individual will rent out someone else’s home on Craigslist—even drawing up leases. Jocelyn using a hygrometer to check moisture levels and humidity. High moisture can quickly lead to mold, and turn into a big problem fast. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We’ve had to meet the police at a few homes when people find out that their lease or rental agreement is bogus,” he says. “It is so important for a professional company to be checking on these homes. We add a level of security to the home because we provide a presence. There are so many tell-tale signs that a home is empty.  “You have responsibilities to keep up with whether you’re there or not. Most HOAs have rules regarding landscaping and appearance, or request that a homeowner has a local contact in their absence. We’re a line of communication for the homeowner.”  Coastal Carolina Home Watch can also make arrangements for work that needs to be done— like repairs, insect extermination, or cleaning— using their clients’ existing service providers, or they can recommend companies— all of whom are insured and whom he has personally vetted.  “We make sure that the work you’re paying for is done correctly,” Jack says. “Too many times, people contract with a landscaper or another kind of service, and because those folks are not there, the job is not done as well as it should be. We’ll do whatever we can to make life less stressful and more enjoyable while you’re here at the beach. If you have a request, let us know, and we’ll do our best to accomplish it. Taking care of the customer, looking out for them, is what we’re all about. Their best interests are the most important thing in my business.”  Jack feels fortunate to have such a loyal, dedicated team that is in alignment with his mission working with him to help safeguard his clients and their homes. Jocelyn Watson handles all the scheduling for Coastal Carolina Home Watch.  “This place doesn’t run without her,” Jack says. “She grew up here, so she’s familiar with the area and the things that can go wrong.”  Here, Jack checks the electrical box to ensure it’s not tripped after an electrical shortage. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Kevin Reed is a native of Georgetown County and the company’s lead home watch expert.  “They know what needs to be done and they do it,” Jack says of his team. “They understand the values and vision of the business, and are on board with that.”    Many people might wonder why a service like this is necessary? Why not ask a neighbor or friend to watch your home?  “Your neighbor isn’t insured for this, and they’re doing you a favor,” Jack says. “If something happens, are they equipped to handle it? Are you a priority for them? They could be traveling, get sick, have a personal crisis, or just get busy—all things that might prevent them from checking your home.  “If they miss something, or just-plain drop the ball and there is a problem, what can you do? You’re still powerless to fix the problem or at the least, it’s now a big problem for you. And if they injure themselves on your property they can sue you.”  Jack carries general and professional liability insurance, as well as workers comp, and cyber-security insurance to fully protect his clientele from any type of exposure.  With every visit, Coastal Carolina Home Watch will send you a report which includes pictures, comments and even geo-locating, noting the time and date they were there, and what they checked. This report can be used as documentation for your insurance company in the event it’s necessary to make a claim. “We’re going to notice problems and give people the best description of what is happening so they’re able to make an intelligent decision as to how to take care of it,” Jack says.  Jack founded the National Home Watch Association in 2009 so … Read more

Coastal Green Wellness

Bringing the Healing Power of Plants to the Grand Strand and Beyond by Melissa LaScaleia Last year, Myrtle Beach native David Spang opened Coastal Green Wellness in the Market Common— South Carolina’s first CBD dispensary, which he runs with his girlfriend, Crystal Walter.  Their mission is to distribute high quality products to the public; offer knowledge about the healing powers of CBD; and promote and normalize the use of cannabis in the community as a healing tool.  “Over the past year, the success that we’ve had in partnership with medical practitioners in the area, from therapists, to orthopedic specialists, to pain management facilities, and even veterinarians— has been incredible,” David says. “It’s great to see practitioners on board with this. It’s a huge step to see patients bringing it up to their doctors, and even doctors suggesting it to their patients.”  CBD (chemical name cannabidiol) is an organic compound that comes from the hemp, or cannabis Sativa L. plant. In South Carolina, medical marijuana is not legal. But CBD, which has less than .3% of the psychoactive compound THC, found in both recreational and medical marijuana and which makes the plant so controversial, is— and it’s been shown to positively benefit a vast majority of medical conditions— everything from Alzheimers and Parkinson’s, to arthritis, sleep disorders, anxiety, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain.  “The viewpoint of a drug is not the way to look at CBD,” David says. “It’s truly a vitamin or a nutrient. It promotes normal brain activity and function, and it’s non-psychoactive.  “So although it’s something you would take daily, you would do so in the same way you eat daily to nourish your body. It’s something you would never grow dependent on. We actually use it frequently to get people off of addictive medications— like benzodiazepines or opioids— because it’s excellent at balancing your dopamine and serotonin levels.  “CBD is something you should be able to take less of over time because it builds in the system. Once your body is in homeostasis it’s a lot easier to keep it there.”  David conducts independent lab testing on every product he carries in his store to ensure their potency and efficacy. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Quality control and education are David’s two biggest goals with his store.  “I make sure that my consumers are receiving as organic, safe, and effective a product as possible in the hemp industry right now,” he says. “Because CBD is not regulated by a government agency, there’s no stipulations on what you’re allowed to say in advertising or the quality of the products that you carry.  “There are CBD manufacturing companies purporting to carry pharmaceutical grade products, and charging 200% more for them. But there is no meaning behind their words— it’s all marketing. “Everything I say CBD can do, has been backed up with legitimate medical research. Because testing protocols on illegal drugs in the U.S. are so difficult and expensive to conduct, the majority of the documented research with case studies is coming from outside of the United States, with a large concentration from Israel and Italy.   “Professor Raphael Mechoulam of Israel was instrumental in paving the way for medical research on cannabis for the world; he was the first person to really approach it as medicine.  “There are quite a few reputable universities conducting double blind stage 3 and 4 clinical trials right now, reconfirming small human-based and animal studies, to prove the efficacy of CBD. This is what people would consider concrete evidence, something that is on a par with FDA standards. There’s a lot more funding being put into CBD, making this testing possible.”  David brings the highest quality full spectrum and whole plant extracts of CBD to his store that he can find, all grown in the U.S. To ensure their efficacy, he independently lab tests all of the products that he carries with a company out of Massachusetts called Pro-Verde Laboratories.  “They are one of the leading experts in the nation as far as Cannabis testing is concerned,” he says. “I want to make sure that these companies and products do what they say they are doing. I am positive that I am the only retail location in South Carolina that is doing this.”  In keeping with his mission of educating the public, David invites people to come speak to him about any of their CBD products or current regimen even if they didn’t get the product from Coastal Green Wellness.  Quality control and education are the two biggest aims of Coastal Green Wellness. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “My end goal entirely is for consumers to have the best and safest experience where they are getting the benefits that I believe CBD can offer,” David says. “People can always reach out to us.”  He and Crystal have created and continue to create literature about CBD; the crux of their information being taken from medical facilities.  They currently have about fifteen different pieces of literature on common ailments and the ways that CBD can make a positive impact on those conditions. They’ve updated their website, with a page devoted solely to eduction— so that someone with little to no knowledge about CBD can better understand a range of topics— everything from how to source a high quality product, to legality. “Particularly because I’ve seen how much CBD can benefit communities, it frustrated me that it wasn’t available here,” David says. “I want to help my local community through natural, safe, and alternative medicine, and take away the negative stigma attached to CBD use through education.”  David is expanding the communities he helps with the recent opening of two additional stores: one in North Myrtle Beach, and one in Atlanta, Georgia— with more to come.  “The North Myrtle Beach store will be our company’s flagship location,” he says. “It will set the tone for all our locations moving forward, in terms of being an upscale, inviting experience with high quality products.”  He’s also moving into the wholesale … Read more

The Brass Tap

A Must-Stop For Craft Beer in the Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia The Brass Tap opened a location in the Market Common in 2016. The craft beer bar and upscale pub-food-eatery is part of a corporate chain with about fifty franchise locations.  Last October, the Market Common venue changed ownership and had a grand reopening. The new owners are based out of Mount Pleasant, SC. They purchased three locations under the new company they formed— SBS Brewing Masters Inc.     “More than a year ago,” says Courtney Dumont, general manager, “The Brass Tap was a little bit of a stepchild in the Market Common. The original owners were not available to invest the appropriate amount of time and energy into it to make it be more successful; and all the employees as well as the community felt that lack.”  Courtney has been with The Brass Tap since the day they opened. She was hired in 2015, while they were still building. She went through corporate training and beer school, then was promoted to a shift manager, and eventually general manager.  “It was a really positive addition,” Courtney says, “to have someone who acts as a direct link between the general managers and owners. He brought in backing for the general managers as well as organization.   “There became greater communication between the three stores— all of us were more in synch; and all of us revamped what we were doing. It brought in a new energy and structure of support.  “The new owners were more involved, and at the same time, they allowed me a greater freedom in running my establishment than I had previously. They have truly given me the reigns; now I have the opportunity to get things that are new and different to expand The Brass Tap’s offerings.”  The Brass Tap changed ownership and had a grand reopening in the Market Common. Courtney Dumont (front and center), wielded the scissors and made it official. — Photo Rachel Ogg The Brass Tap offers a constantly rotating selection of 120 different craft beers— always 60 on tap, and 60 in bottle or can, as well as beer tastings and flights. They are not a brewery and don’t make beer on site; rather Courtney samples brews from all over the world, and selects their best one or two to offer for a limited time. On any given day, the Brass Tap will have between five to ten new beers.  “I select beers based on more than just what I like,” she says. “I meet with representatives, tasting samples; I am very hands-on and always trying new things. There is a trend throughout the seasons as to what styles of beer are more popular. In colder winter months, people prefer darker, sometimes heavier beers—like stout and porter. In the summer, they prefer lighter beers that are crisp and refreshing, or something hoppy like a full-flavored citrus IPA. For craft beer lovers, we can always find something new and exciting every time they come back. They can expand and try new things as we do.”  When original brews hit the market, Courtney grabs them knowing that they will be something innovative that no one in the area has ever tried. And when her distributors have only two kegs of a limited edition, she’s the first phone call they make.  The Brass Tap has a loyalty program called ‘The Brew Crew.’ With every new draft bottle or can purchased, you receive a point. As you gain points with purchases, you earn money back in rewards to use in-house.  “I have had people who have had 300 beers just in my location,” Courtney says. “I know those people and they know me by name. And if people fall in love with something and request it, we will bring it back if we can, as well as fulfill specific requests.”  Though their concept is craft rotation, there are a handful of well-known domestic beer brands that they keep in-house for those tip-toeing into the world of craft beer.  “There are some traditional domestic beers that we have a loyal clientele and following for,” Courtney says, “and we keep those in stock always.”  In addition to beer, The Brass Tap serves upscale pub food, with menu items like fresh prime rib, buffalo chicken wraps, and street tacos, which won first place in the Taste of Market Common, an annual competition in which the public votes on their favorite dishes from local area restaurants.  The Brass Tap team from left to right: Mattie Tippett, Kelsey Dean, Ashley West, Brett Arutz, Courtney Dumont, Shaye Creamer, Steffanie Delgado, Christian Townes, Megan Floyd, and John Wilson. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We like to consider ourselves more of a polished bar,” Courtney says. “We have more than just burgers and chicken tenders— even though it’s definitely a sports-bar theme.”  The venue has over twenty televisions, and one 82-inch HD TV that they feature all the big games on.  They also have a full wine and liquor menu, and a newly added bourbon whiskey menu, with bourbon flights and tastings.  “We are trying new things with the liquor and bourbon specifically,” she says. “I have charcoal-lined wooden casks, and I’m infusing them with bourbon, Grand Marnier, and different liquors for twenty-one days. The bourbon soaks up the flavors of the wood and other liquors and develops multiple flavor profiles. Nowhere that I know of has a system like this. People are really excited about it.”  The Brass Tap is the only place in the Market Common besides Gordon Biersch that offers a happy hour that is every day of the week, from 4-7pm. And they are known amongst those in the know, for their ‘Bottomless Mimosa Brunch’ on Saturday and Sundays from 11am-2pm.  For $30 per couple, guests receive two entrees and all you can drink mimosas. Brunch items include Southern staples like biscuits and gravy, and sausage-egg burritos.  “Especially being 10 miles from the University, the brunch attracts a much younger crowd on the weekends,” Courtney says. … Read more

Infinity Hair Salon

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

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

Will Parker Law, LLC

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

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

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

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