13th Annual Irish Italian International Festival Saturday, September 24, 10am-4pm on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach

The City of North Myrtle Beach will host the 13^thAnnual Irish Italian International Festival on Saturday, September 24, 10am-4pm on Main Street. Festival admission and parking are free.

This one day, rain or shine event brings approximately 15,000 people to celebrate different cultures. The festival will offers food vendors, two stages of live entertainment, and art & craft vendors, all catering to an Irish Italian International theme. A children's area offers inflatables and activities.

Vendors will compete for the titles of Best Entrée, Best Decorated, and Best Dessert.

Festival-goers can sign up for Claudio’s Spaghetti Eating Contest, sponsored by Villa Romana, in person at the Info Booth or the CIAO booth between 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. at the festival.

Festival Sponsors include CIAO from the Carolinas, WFXB Fox TV, Easy 105.9, Home Depot, Flynn’s Irish Tavern and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Entertainment Schedule Irish Stage – 421 Main Street (in front of Flynn’s Irish Tavern)

10:00 a.m. – The Academy of Dance and Fine Arts

10:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremonies

10:45 a.m. – Band on the Rum

11:30 a.m. – Port City Pipes and Drums

11:50 p.m. – Band on the Rum

1:00 p.m. – Off Kilter

2:45 p.m. – Off Kilter

Italian Stage – 400 Main Street (in front of Hope Taylor & Co.)

10:00 a.m. - Dale Mosher

10:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremonies

10:45 a.m. - Dale Mosher

1:00 p.m. - Larry Tanelli

2:15 p.m. - Claudio’s Spaghetti Eating Contest, sponsored by Villa Romana

2:45 p.m. - Atwater

For more information, visit parks.nmb.us, or for day of the event news, please call the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department at (843) 280-5594.

North Myrtle Beach Fire/Rescue Division will now carry Narcan

Emergency medical technicians within the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety’s Fire/Rescue Division will now carry the lifesaving drug, Narcan.  Previously only certified paramedics were allowed to administer Narcan in South Carolina, however, the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) has approved Narcan use by emergency medical technicians with the approval of a department’s medical director.

Narcan is used for individuals who have overdosed on Opioid drugs such as Heroin, Fentanyl, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percocet.  Narcan is used when individuals are found to be unresponsive, have little or no respirations, and exhibit pinpoint pupils.  Narcan is pushed into an individual’s nose via a misting device, similar to a nasal spray.  The drug quickly reduces the effects of Opiods in the body, allowing an individual to begin breathing again. 

Statistics

In 2013 there were 24,500 deaths in the United States due to Opioid overdose or an average of one life every 21 minutes.

Since March 2016, North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety detectives have logged 30 known overdoses of heroin/fentanyl with four being fatal.  This does not include any Opioid-based pills.

According to DHEC, there are currently only three other fire departments in South Carolina that allow their emergency medical technicians to administer Narcan.  In our area, the Myrtle Beach Fire Department also recently began to carry Narcan.

In 2015 Horry County was second in the state for Narcan use. Greenville County was first with 709.

The numbers this year for Narcan use in Horry County already surpassing what Greenville County did during all of 2015 and will likely exceed 1,000 by the end of the year. That equates to about 20% of the entire state’s use of Narcan by emergency medical technicians by only 6% of the state’s population. 

Annual 9/11 Memorial Beach Walk

Firefighters, police, EMT and members of the military will gather in North Myrtle Beach Sunday morning to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 attack on the United States.

Dressed from head to toe in the same gear and equipment as the brothers and sisters used that day they lost their lives, they will walk 9 miles along the sand as a way to commemorate the first responders and all those who died in the terrorist attacks on The World Trade Centers; on Flight 93, and at the Pentagon.

The Walk will begin at 9:11 am at 48th Avenue South and continue along the beach to the Cherry Grove section around 56th Ave North. This is the fourth year for the North Myrtle Beach 9-11 Beach Walk.

Nearly 350 firefighters died for each other and the people they were trying to save on September 11, 2001. In addition, 23 New York City police officers also made the sacrifice.
Every year men and women come on the beach to attend the event from various areas in Horry County, across the state, and other parts of the country.

Sc Department Of Motor Vehicles Application For The Hearing Impaired

South Carolina Code of Law §56-1-205 and 56-3-1920 allows a person who has been certified with uncorrectable hearing loss of 40 decibels or more in one or both ears to obtain a special hearing impaired restriction like emoticon(Y) along with outside mirror restriction (J) on his or her driver’s license/beginner’s permit and/or a hearing impaired placard.

This placard and/or driver’s license/beginner’s permit restriction is to alert law enforcement and others to the driver’s condition and may NOT be used for special parking privileges.

There is a limit of one (1) placard per applicant. To apply for the restriction and/or the placard, the person must have a current driver’s license/beginner’s permit and a physician’s statement certifying the hearing loss. (NOTE: A physician’s statement is not required for a replacement or renewal.)

An application is attached and it can also be accessed online at http://www.scdmvonline.com/dmvnew/Forms/RG-004A.pdf

For answers to questions, call the SC Department of Motor Vehicles at (803) 896-5000.

We thank area resident Michelle Barden for this information. Michelle was concerned by a news story about an incident in another state involving a hearing impaired person and law enforcement. She has met with city officials and we have enjoyed talking with her and learning from her.

Nmb Public Safety Personnel To Walk 9 Miles Of Beach In Full Gear In Remembrance Of 9/11 Brothers & Sisters

In 2011, North Myrtle Beach Public Safety personnel felt the need to show respect to those who had given the ultimate sacrifice when the United States came under attack on September 11, 2001.

(Photo is from a previous 9/11 NMB Public Safety Dept Beach Walk.)

On that 10^th anniversary of 9/11, in an effort to memorialize all who perished, were injured and were otherwise involved in the events of that tragic day, department personnel elected to walk the entire 9 mile stretch of beach within the city of North Myrtle Beach, dressed from head to toe in the same gear and equipment as their brothers and sisters used on the day they lost their lives.

At first, they walked quietly and solemnly, not knowing if their task was even possible to complete. They soon realized that walking 9 miles in the hot sun on the beach would be an arduous task, and the need for conversation was a must. They began to discuss among themselves the events that had taken place that day and their memories of it, and they shared with each other the stories of those they had lost.

Lost in conversation as they walked the beach that day, they did not realize that as they marched that beach-goers had begun to salute the flags they carried, placing their hands on their hearts as the public safety personnel passed by.  People also began walking with them for short distances, thanking them, and shaking their hands. The marchers then realized that what they had set out to do for themselves also provided those around them with an opportunity to show respect as well.

With the overwhelming support they received that day, Public Safety personnel knew they could not stop until they had reached their destination. Mentally and physically, they supported each other through their journey. And, with a few stops along the way, drenched in sweat, aching from head to toe, they finally achieved their goal.

Each year since, the walk has continued to provide an outlet for Public Safety employees, residents, and visitors to remember the victims of the attacks on 9/11. The walk honors the countless first responders and military personnel who responded that day, and those who continue to protect the nation.

Now joined by multiple agencies, branches of the military, and family members, the walk has grown beyond what its founders had imagined.

This year marks the 15^th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001 and the 5^th year of the Beach Walk.

The public is invited to join with North Myrtle Beach Public Safety personnel as they again walk the entire beach on 9/11 in remembrance of their brothers and sisters.

WALK INFORMATION

Start: 9:00 a.m. at  48th Avenue South on the beach.

Conclusion: About 63rd Avenue North on the beach.

For additional information, please contact Fire Engineer Ryan Marrs at rmmarrs@nmb.us or (843) 385-0195.

Enjoy a FREE September 9 Showing of “Shaun the Sheep (PG)” at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach

The public is invited to enjoy a FREE September 9 showing of the movie, Shaun the Sheep (PG), at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach. The movie starts 15 minutes after sunset (about 7:30 pm).

There will be a free sheep petting zoo on site from 6:00pm – 7:15 pm.

The free movie is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Movies @ McLean series sponsored by McLeod Seacoast (www.mcleodhealth.org).

Patrons and movie-goers are encouraged to bring a beach chair or blanket to sit on. Concessions will be available from the North Myrtle Beach Lions Club.

About “Shaun the Sheep”: Shaun the Sheep thinks and acts like a person in a barnyard, which usually gets him into trouble. The farmer's sheepdog, Bitzer, tries to keep Shaun and his friends out of trouble. The farmer is oblivious to the humanlike features of his flock, who are like one big, happy family. When Shaun decides to take the day off and have some fun, he gets a little more action than he bargained for. A mix-up with the farmer, a caravan and a very steep hill lead them all to the Big City and it is up to Shaun and the flock to return everyone safely to the green grass of home.

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3, follow on Facebook, or visit their website http://parks.nmb.us.

Fire Truck Push-In Event Set For August 31 In North Myrtle Beach

The North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department has scheduled a fire truck Push-In event for Wednesday, August 31, immediately following City Council’s special called 2:00 p.m. meeting, to formally celebrate the arrival of its latest fire truck. The Push-In will occur at Fire Station #1, 1015 Second Avenue South. During the event, City Council members, Public Safety personnel and others will push the new fire truck into its bay, cementing its arrival in the community. The public is invited to attend.

Ladder Truck Outside Station 1 Bay

Fire truck Push-In events reportedly began in the time of horse-drawn firefighting equipment, which could not be easily be backed into a building by the horses but had to be pushed in by firefighting personnel.

The celebration of the arrival of a new piece of apparatus has been a source of pride for volunteer fire companies for more than 100 years. The volunteers of the 18th and 19th centuries spared no expense in outfitting and decorating their new "engins" (a popular term in the 19th century).

For decades, 19th-century volunteers in our largest cities retained the services of some of the most famous artists of the period including John Woodside, Thomas Sully, and Joseph Johnson, who rendered incredible pieces of art on the rigs, composed of patriotic, mythological, and historical scenes. Many of these companies held soirees and other social events to mark the occasion of the new piece of equipment.

Norman Rockwell's 1971 illustration "The New American LaFrance Is Here!" captured the moment of a new engine's arrival. Showing his hometown Victorian firehouse in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Rockwell conveyed the excitement in the town, showing children and adults rushing to see the modern fire engine. Next to it is the town’s retired 1920s-era pumper.

About the City’s New Fire Truck

On July 15, North Myrtle Beach Fire/Rescue took delivery of a 2016 Pierce 95-foot Mid-Mount fire truck on an Arrow XT chassis. The new truck, which is now the city’s primary tower ladder, has been designated Truck 714 and is located at Fire Station #1.

The fire truck cost $1.2 million and was paid for out of the City’s capital improvements fund over two fiscal years. A fire truck of this type has an effective lifespan of about 20 years.

The new truck replaces a 1996 KME Aerial Cat 102 foot Rear-Mounted Aerial, which has been moved out to another fire station as a reserve apparatus. The KME has served the City well as its primary tower ladder for 20 years. It was replaced due to its age and condition.

With the purchase of the new Pierce, the department has its third operational aerial device within the city limits.

Carolina Soul Band Performs in a FREE September 1 Concert at the Horseshoe in North Myrtle Beach

Carolina Soul Band

The public is invited to enjoy a free September 1, 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.concert featuring Carolina Soul Band at the Horseshoe in North Myrtle Beach.

The free concert is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Music on Main summer concert series sponsored by Anderson Brothers Bank. (www.abbank.com)

The Carolina Soul Band performs sweet soul sounds of such legendary groups as The Drifters, The Coasters, The Four Tops, The O’Jays, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and many more.

Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their beach chairs.

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3, follow on Facebook, or visit their website http://parks.nmb.us.

SCDOT Advisory - Partial Johnny Causey Boat Ramp Closure

A portion of the Johnny Causey Boat Ramp underneath the US 17 bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway at Little River in Horry County has been closed while South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) crews inspect and perform minor, nonstructural repairs to the bridge beams and underside of the bridge deck.

Daytime lane closures on US 17 will occur at this location beginning Tuesday, Aug. 30 through Thursday, Sept. 1, and continue on Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8, in order to complete this work. For safety reasons, the public is not allowed past the roped off areas at the boat ramp.

QUESTIONS: Contact SCDOT’s Bob Kudelka at KudelkaRP@scdot.org

NMB Public Safety Department to hold August 29 Test of Enhancement to its Nixle Emergency Notification System

North Myrtle Beach, SC – August 23, 2016 – On Monday, August 29, between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department will conduct a test of an enhancement to its Nixle emergency notification system. The upgrade supports the automatic dialing of telephones for major emergency voice alerts.

The test will connect with residential land-lines in North Myrtle Beach and with cellphones containing the Google application.

As part of its expanding Nixle service, along with the text message and email notifications that area Nixle subscribers current receive from the public safety department, residents who choose the additional phone call option will receive calls on their land-lines and cellphones alerting them to a variety of potential public safety issues that may have an impact on the whole community, including threatening weather.

The content of the test voicemail will be as follows: “This is a test of the City of North Myrtle Beach’s Nixle dial emergency notification system. The Nixle dial telephone notification system will be used to deliver emergency information to City residents. If you also want to receive email, text and voice alerts on your cellphone, go to www.nixle.com and create an account. This is only a test.”

For more information, please contact Lt. Sean Downey at (843) 280-5698.

Dolphins Swim Team Pre-Team Practice Program September 6-29

Swimmers ages 5-18 years who want to join the Dolphin Swim Team at the NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center, but who may not be entirely ready to make that jump, are invited to participate in a Pre-Team Program September 6-29 at the Center. The program will focus on breathing techniques, stroke development, and endurance.

Swimmers must be comfortable in 9 feet of water, know how to tread water, and be able to swim freestyle and backstroke for 20 yards.

Practice begins September 6. Practice days are Tuesday and Thursday. Practice time is 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Fees are $30 per month for AFC members and $45 for nonmembers.

For more information, call Judy Childers at (843) 281-3743 or email Judy at jachilders@nmb.us

Special Blend Experience Performs in a FREE August 25 Concert on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach

The public is invited to enjoy Special Blend Experience in a free August 25, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. concert on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Concert-goers will enjoy a wide variety of hits, including Motown soul, R&B, pop, funk and today’s top 40.

The free concert is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Music on Main summer concert series sponsored by Anderson Brothers Bank (www.abbank.com).

Special Blend Experience covers the tunes of legendary groups such as LaBelle, The Supremes, Chic, The Temptations, Rose Royse and many more.

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3, follow on Facebook, or visit their website http://parks.nmb.us.

Frontier Communications Invests $150,000 in North Myrtle Beach Economic Development

On August 16, Frontier Communications presented to the City of North Myrtle Beach a contribution of $150,000 to be used to expand recreational and other quality of life opportunities in the city.

This investment from Frontier Communications will greatly contribute toward helping the city expand and add new quality of life opportunities, primarily at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, a focal point for residents and visitors. The complex also generates millions additional annual revenue for the North Myrtle Beach business community.

“Frontier Communications believes in supporting the communities where we live and work,” said Marcy Fox, general manager, South Carolina East for Frontier. “As a telecommunications company, we invest regularly in communications infrastructure to better serve our residents and commercial customers. Our employees also serve on boards and volunteer in a wide variety of charitable organizations. We are very active in the community, helping to fund food banks and we believe in hiring and supporting our veterans. Our approach to business and society is a good fit for North Myrtle Beach.”

North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley said that the entire community appreciates Frontier Communications’ continuing investment in the city. She said that Frontier’s investment will help to grow more recreational and other opportunities for residents and visitors, which also aids economic development in the city.

“Frontier Communications is not required to make these sorts of investments,” Mayor Hatley said. “This is the way they do business. They have become part of the community and help us in many positive ways. We greatly appreciate their involvement.”

This is the second commitment since 2014 that Frontier has made to North Myrtle Beach to help improve the quality of city services opportunities. That year a $300,000 commitment was made to the city and was used in part to expand the city’s fiber optic network by another mile to extend connectivity to the lake front area at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. As a result, complementary Wi-Fi access is now provided to the lake front trail area and to the area around the amphitheater located within the park. 

The City also used a portion of the funding to establish live-streaming video and audio from all six baseball and softball fields at the park and sports complex. Additionally, there are three live stream cameras that provide overviews of the soccer and lacrosse complex, the baseball and softball area and the wake board park on the lake.

Mike Flynn, Frontier’s Southeast region president, attended the presentation ceremony.

“We are very pleased to help the city of North Myrtle Beach improve broadband and video communications options for its citizens,” said Flynn. “These are the types of network improvements Frontier routinely makes in all 29 states we serve. It’s great to see the city recognize the value and quality of live broadband networks offer to communities.”

About Frontier Communications Corporation

Frontier Communications Corporation, now a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is a leader in providing communications services to urban, suburban and rural communities in 29 states. Frontier offers a variety of services to residential customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks, including video, high-speed internet, advanced voice and Frontier Secure digital protection solutions. Frontier Business Edge offers communications solutions to small, medium and enterprise businesses. Frontier’s approximately 29,000 employees are based entirely in the United States. More information about Frontier is available at www.frontier.com.

For more information on Frontier Communications, contact Marcy Fox, general manager, South Carolina East for Frontier, Office: (843) 444-3230, Email: Marcy.fox@ftr.com.

PHOTO IDENTIFICATION – L-R: Councilman Fred Coyne, Frontier South Carolina East General Manager Marcy Fox, Councilwoman Nicole Fontana, Frontier Southeast Region President Mike Flynn, Mayor Marilyn Hatley, City Manager Mike Mahaney, Councilman Bob Cavanaugh, Frontier Area General Manager Todd Van Epps.

Nine North Myrtle Beach Veterans Presented with Quilts of Valor

On August 15, representatives of the local chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation presented nine veterans with Quilts of Valor. All of the recipients are also members of the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department.

Those receiving personal Quilts of Valor were Michael Baldasarre, Bryan Floyd, James Martin, Hannah McLaurin, Stephen Murphy, Robert Speedling, Ian Vaughn, J. Phillip Webster, and Keith Williams.

Quilts of Valor began in 2003. It is then that founder Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed in Iraq, had a dream. In her dream, she saw a young man sitting on the side of the road in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling in her dream was one of utter despair.

“I could see his war demons clustered around him,” she said, “dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor had changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of my dream was— quilts equal healing.”

According to Joan Wobbleton, head of the local chapter of Quilts of Valor,  volunteer teams donate their time and materials to make a quilt for veterans who have been touched by war. One person pieces the top, and another quilts it. The quilts are not provided to families or others, only to veterans. Each quilt recipient is encouraged to not put their quilt away in a chest or to display it as a museum piece but to use it when they feel the need to warm themselves, to feel better about life or themselves.

North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley was invited to address the recipients. She recalled those times as a child when she was scared or ill, and her mother or grandmother would put a quilt around her. She recalled that with the quilt around her, she would very soon feel safer, better, warmer, more loved and cared for. She encouraged the recipients to make their quilts a part of their lives. Mayor Hatley also thanked them for their service to their Country and their continuing service to North Myrtle Beach residents and visitors as Police Officers and Firefighter/EMTs.

Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson also spoke. He reminded those in the audience that, while not everyone can make a quilt by hand, everyone can say "Thank You" to those who have served their Country, and to those who now serve their communities as Police Officers and Firefighter/EMTs.

PHOTO OF QUILT OF VALOR RECIPIENTS – Left to Right:  Mayor Pro Tem Terry White, City Councilman Bob Cavanaugh, Mayor Marilyn Hatley, Ian Vaughn, Michael Baldasarre, Stephen Murphy, Robert Speedling, Bryan Floyd, James Martin, Hannah McLaurin, Keith Williams, Phillip Webster, Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson.

Representatives from Local Chapter of Quilts of Valor - Joan Wobbleton Fourth from Left

RESULTS: August 15 City Council Meeting

North Myrtle Beach, SC – August 15, 2016 – During the August 15 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Zoning Enforcement Officer Dorian Dixon was named Employee of the Month. Every summer the zoning division must address minor violations of the city’s sign, tent and merchandise regulations, primarily by seasonal businesses. Seasonal businesses that have such violations tend to report violations being committed by their business competitors as competition for customers escalates during the summer months. Instead of having to issue dozens of citations for these violations, Dixon has done an extremely good job of using his diplomatic skills to achieve businesses compliance with city regulations, and he often achieves more peaceful interaction among competing businesses.

Dixon has also been positively singled out by residents for his assistance in helping to effectively address instances of disallowed home occupations in residential neighborhoods.

City Council also provided Employee Longevity Awards to nine employees. Receiving awards were Public Safety Officer Joshua Stevens (five years of service), Public Safety Officer Andrew Franklin (5), Public Safety OfficerAustin Bratton (5), Firefighter/EMT Craig Young (5), Firefighter/EMT James Johnson (5), Motor Equipment Operator James Gore (10), Public Safety Officer/Lifeguard Coordinator Munro Reed (10), Public Safety Officer/Lifeguard Coordinator Donald Constransitch (10), and Pump Mechanic II Christopher Wright (15).

Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance annexing and zoning as R-1 (Single Family, Low Density Residential) one lot located in the Riverside Campground Subdivision. The property is located on Lot 2 within the Riverside Campground Subdivision off Little River Neck Road and is occupied by an existing detached single-family house. Surrounding land uses are vacant (Esperanza PDD within North Myrtle Beach's jurisdiction), Fire Station #4 (within North Myrtle Beach's jurisdiction) and single-family residential homes (within both jurisdictions).

Council passed second reading of an ordinance approving the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Development Agreement regarding the Robber's Roost PDD. The amendment to the development agreement clarifies the responsibilities of the various parties to the agreement regarding the cost of improvements to 11th Avenue North and Sea Hope Way.

City Council approved a request for a special event permit by the Grand Strand Running Club for the September 17, 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., BFF Pink Ribbon Run 5K/10K at Barefoot Resort. The event is a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen and other charities. The city is a co-sponsor.

City Council approved a request for a special event permit by The Society of Stranders (SOS) for the September 18, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., SOS Fun Sunday. The event will be held on 1^st Avenue South between Ocean Boulevard and Hillside Drive.

City Council approved a request for a special event permit by The Society of Stranders (SOS) for the September 19, 12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., SOS Fun Monday. The event will be held on Main Street between Ocean Boulevard and Hillside Drive.

City Council passed a Resolution approving policies and procedures for tax-advantaged debt. City bond counsel Theo Dubose of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. advised that the city adopt the policies and procedures associated with the issuance of tax-advantaged bonds in order to ensure compliance with the various legal requirements associated with this type of debt.

Council tabled until its September 19 meeting second reading of an ordinance to petition rezoning of one lot approximately 6.4 acres in size located on Main Street from HC (Highway Commercial) to PDD (Planned Development District).

City Council passed a Resolution to authorize the Main Street Parking District Facility Plan, establishing an optional "fee in lieu" of parking.

During an August 1 meeting, City Council approved a “fee in lieu” ordinance, which allows a property owner to pay into a public parking development fund in lieu of providing their own required parking. The monies in the fund will be used to establish additional public parking in the Main Street area.

The Resolution passed at the August 15 meeting establishes the Main Street Parking District Facility Plan, which encompasses an area within the Main Street Priority Investment Activity Center Overlay. Within this area, property owners now have the option of establishing their own required parking or paying a fee in lieu to the city set at $25,000 per parking space. The monies collected will be used to establish public parking within the investment area bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, 2^nd Avenue North on the north, 2^nd Avenue South on the south, and Oak Drive on the west.

EMPLOYEE LONGEVITY AWARDS: L-R: James Johnson, City Manager Mike Mahaney, Christopher Wright, James Gore, Craig Young, Andrew Franklin, Austin Bratton, Joshua Stevens, Monty Reed, Donald Constransitch.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH: L-R: City Manager Mike Mahaney, Dorian Dixon.

Free August 12 Showing of The Good Dinosaur (PG) at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach

The public is invited to enjoy a free August 11 showing of The Good Dinosaur (PG) at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach. Movie starts 15 minutes after sunset (approximately 8:25 pm).

There will be a free fossil mining activity from 7– 8:15 pm for kids before the movie.

The free movie is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Movies @ McLean series sponsored by McLeod Seacoast (www.mcleodhealth.org).   

Patrons and movie-goers are encouraged to bring their beach chair or a blanket to sit on. Concessions will be available from the North Myrtle Beach Lions Club.

About The Good Dinosaur: Luckily for young Arlo, his parents and two siblings, the mighty dinosaurs were not wiped out 65 million years ago. When a rainstorm washes poor Arlo downriver, he ends up bruised, battered and miles away from home. Good fortune shines on the frightened dino when he meets Spot, a Neanderthal boy who offers his help and friendship. Together, the unlikely duo embark on an epic adventure to reunite Arlo with his beloved family.

Chocolate Chip & Co. Perform in a FREE August 11 Concert on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach

The public is invited to enjoy a free August 11, 7-9pm concert featuring Chocolate Chip & Co. on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Chocolate Chip & Co. is a high-energy group playing 70s, 80s, 90s dance tunes, disco, funk and soul.

The free concert is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Music on Main summer concert series sponsored by Anderson Brothers Bank (www.abbank.com).

Patrons and concert-goers are encouraged to bring their beach chairs.

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3, follow on facebook, or visit their website http://parks.nmb.us.

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department Holds Record-Setting Fundraiser for the Special Olympics

During its August 3-5 "Cops on Doughnut Shops" fundraising effort at Krispy Kreme, 1300 Highway 17 South, the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department raised $38,047.50 for the Special Olympics.

The Cops on Doughnut Shops fundraiser is familiar to many communities across South Carolina and the nation. However, the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department effort stands as the most successful Cops on Doughnut Shops fundraiser anywhere to date.

It is also interesting to note that the North Myrtle Beach Krispy Kreme is the most profitable Krispy Kreme location in the United States.

At the start of the August 3-5 fundraising effort, North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez, who has always supported the Special Olympics, promised his personnel that, if they raised $10,000 he would have his hair dyed Garnett red in a tip of the hat to the University of South Carolina. City Manager Mike Mahaney pledged that, if Public Safety personnel raised $25,000 he would have his hair dyed part Clemson University orange and part Coastal Carolina University teal.

Today (August 8), the two lived up to their promises and received their dye jobs at the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety building. Many hands were invited to apply parts of the total dye jobs, and all participated with great zest!

Congratulations to North Myrtle Beach Public Safety personnel for their record-setting fundraising effort!

A tube of red on the left for Jay Fernandez and, tubes of teal and orange on the right for Mike Mahaney…

The realization sinks in… This is actually going to happen!

Dana Griffin, Public Safety coordinator for the record-setting fundraiser, applies the first dab of dye to Jay’s Hair

Mayor Marilyn Hatley and Councilwoman Nicole Fontana were among those who contributed to Mike’ coloring.

Jay Fernandez decides that a little stress eating is in order…

All dolled up, Jay Fernandez and Mike Mahaney are proud of their new hairdos…

People express relief in different ways….

This appears to be THE MOMENT that Jay Fernandez saw his dye job for the very first time…

And then, it’s back to business…

Congratulations to our Public Safety Department for a Great Job! And many thanks to Mike Mahaney and Jay Fernandez for being such good sports and great leaders!

North Myrtle Beach Tree City Committee August Tree of the Month Award

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Committee’s August Tree of the Month Award recognizes a group of Longleaf pines located on several different parcels of land along Madison Drive near 20th Avenue south. The trees bear scars of wounds from sap harvesting many years ago.

The Long Leaf pine is native to coastal South Carolina and it grows well in the sandy local soil. The trees were the source of naval stores (resin, turpentine, and timber) for the shipbuilding industry around which so much of the original economy and development of Horry County was founded. 

Those wishing to learn more about this tree and its contribution to local history are invited to a free August 18, 11:00 a.m., seminar at the North Myrtle Beach Library, 910 1^st Avenue South. The seminar is free but attendance is limited to 40 people. John Ford, a local resident and self-taught tree historian, will present more in-depth information on the Longleaf Pine, its historical and economic significance to our area, and the importance of preservation. Ford lived in North Myrtle Beach for 40 years. His parents and grandparents created in him an interest in  the ocean, rivers, the forest, and nature in general. Ford also studied archaeology on his own.