28th Annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival set for March 12 on Main Street

Joanne Myers was selected as the winner of the 28th Annual
North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival Tshirt
Design Contest. She will receive a $100 Walmart gift
card and will be recognized at the festival. The shirts will be
sold at the parade and festival. Supplies are limited.

The 28th Annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival will be held March 12 on Main Street. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. and the festival will be held 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The one-day rain or shine event attracts more than 30,000 people annually.

Spectators gathering to watch the parade should be in place along the Main Street parade route by 8:20 a.m. Main Street will close to vehicular traffic at 8:30 a.m. Main Street from Ash Street to Ocean Boulevard will remain closed until the festival ends.

The festival offers 150-plus food, arts and crafts, nonprofit, and other vendors.

Trevor Strawderman, principal at North Myrtle Beach High School, is the Grand Marshal for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Trevor Strawderman is the Parade
Grand Marshal. (Photo courtesy NMB
High School website.)

The North Strand Optimist Club organizes the parade, and all entry fees go back into helping the youth of our community.

WDPE TV 15 is the Media Sponsor. Easy 105.9 is the Radio Sponsor. The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Presenting Sponsor. 

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival offers three entertainment stages. The current entertainment lineup is as follows: 

Community Stage

Main Street & Oak Drive

11:00 am: Myrtle Beach Regional Pipes and Drums

11:15 am: Triple Toe Cloggers

11:45 am: Parade Awards

12:15 pm: Myrtle Beach Regional Pipe and Drums

12:45 pm: Coastal Pipes and Drums

1:30 pm: Ocean Drive Elementary School Chorus

2:15 pm – 4:00 PM: Folk ‘Em

Main Stage

Near Flynn’s Irish Tavern

11:00 am: Band on the Rum

11:45 am: Coastal Pipes and Drums

12:00 pm: Band on the Rum

12:45 pm: Wake District Pipes and Drums

1:00 pm: Tan and Sober Gentleman

2:15 pm: Leprechaun Contest

2:30 pm: Shepard’s Pie Eating Contest

2:45 pm: 4:00 PM: Tan and Sober Gentleman

Green Stage

Near Duffy’s Seafood Shack

11:00 am: Retrograde

1:45 pm: 4:00 PM: Chocolate Chip and Company

Two contests are also part of this year’s festival:

Far right, last year’s winner Michael Walsh.

28th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival Leprechaun Contest

Show off your love of all things Irish by competing in the 28th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival Leprechaun Contest. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, appearance, enthusiasm and energy.

Participants must be 18 years or older, must register and be dressed in a leprechaun/Irish-themed costume, and must grant permission to the City of North Myrtle Beach to publish photos for promotion and sign a release of liability. The contest is open to the general public and no purchase is necessary to participate.

Contestants must register at the Main Stage at Flynn's Irish Tavern before 2:00 p.m. Preregistration is also available at the Festival Information Booth (corner of Hillside Drive and Main Street) before 1:30 p.m. Meet at the stairs of the Main Stage at 2:00 p.m. Contest begins at 2:15 p.m.

There will be a grand prize winner. In addition to holding the title of the 28th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival Leprechaun, the St. Patrick's Day website will feature the winner's name and brief bio. The winner also receives a $100 gift card to Walmart, an event t-shirt, and a souvenir of achievement.

Rory Duffy, last year’s winner.

28th Annual St. Patrick's Day Shepherd's Pie Eating Contest

First to clear their plate without using their hands wins bragging rights and a stylish plaque designed by Coastal Engravers.

Register at the Main Stage at Flynn’s Irish Tavern before 2:00 p.m. Preregistration is also available at the Festival Information Booth, corner of Hillside Drive and Main Street before 1:30 p.m. Meet at the stairs of the Main Stage on festival site at 2:15 p.m. Contest begins at 2:30 p.m.

Alert - National Weather Service Threat Assessment for Northeast South Carolina and Southeast North Carolina on Wednesday, February 24

The Wilmington, NC office of the National Weather Service has cautioned that a SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL exists for northeastern SC and southeast NC ON Wednesday, February 24.

There is a Slight to Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms during Wednesday, February 24, as a strong cold front approaches and moves across the area.

Timing: Although there could be a few severe storms around in the morning, the risk is expected to be at its greatest during the afternoon.

Threats: The primary threat is for some locations receiving damaging wind gusts to 70 mph. A secondary risk includes the potential for one or more tornadoes, and large hail greater than one inch.

Confidence: Confidence is at a moderate level for this event across portions of northeast SC and southeast NC.

Considerations: The timing of severe weather will coincide with school and business hours. Schools as well as other organizations and agencies are encouraged to take time today (February 23) to review their severe weather safety plans and review their tornado sheltering procedures. Be prepared to act quickly if warnings are issued for your location. Closely monitor weather conditions during Wednesday.

Next National Weather Service Update: About 8:00 a.m. on February 24, unless weather conditions change.

The accompanying chart is intended to help you understand thunderstorm risk categories.

February 24 NMB Public Works Department Public Meeting to Discuss Recreational Trails Program Grant Application

The North Myrtle Beach Public Works Department will hold a public meeting Wednesday, February 24 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 1018 2^nd Avenue South. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the application for a 2015-2017 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant through the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. 

The Public Works Department is applying for the RTP grant in order to construct an approximately 1.5-mile trail segment along the Robert Edge Parkway. The paved trail would be constructed west of the waterway on the northeast side of the west-bound lanes.  The trail would begin at the base of the bridge where the current trail that crosses the waterway ends, and would terminate at the intersection with Highway 90.

This is a public meeting. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.

Questions should be addressed to Kristine Stokes, City of North Myrtle Beach Grants/Special Projects Coordinator, at krstokes@nmb.us or (843) 281-3751.

Michael Nash Soccer Tournament February 25-28 at North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex

North Myrtle Beach High School, in partnership with the City of North Myrtle Beach, will host the Michael Nash Soccer Tournament February 25-28 at the Wild Wing Café Soccer Complex at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex . The high school soccer tournament will feature eight varsity boys and eight varsity girls teams.

The Michael Nash Soccer Tournament began in 1994 and to date has contributed over $100,000 to college-bound North Myrtle Beach soccer players.  The tournament is held in memory of former North Myrtle Beach soccer player Michael Nash, who was killed in a tragic accident in 1993. Michael was two days away from achieving his childhood dream of playing collegiate soccer. 

A tournament schedule is attached. Admission to the tournament is $6 per day.

CCNB Partners with NMB Park & Sports Complex and Also Offers Free March 5 Yoga Class for all Fitness Levels

Coastal Carolina National Bank Partners with North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex to Sponsor Fitness Trail & Fitness Shelter. Bank Also Sponsors Free March 5 Yoga Class at Park

Coastal Carolina National Bank (CCNB) has recently partnered with the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex to sponsor the CCNB Fitness Trail, the 1.1 mile loop encircling the park’s twenty-two acre lake, and the CCNB Fitness Shelter, a new shelter located on the lake.

In recognition of its new partnership, CCNB will sponsor a free outdoor Yoga class at the CCNB Fitness Shelter on Saturday, March 5, at 2:30p.m. The class will be taught by Maura Utley, CCNB’s marketing director, who is also a registered Yoga instructor.

The March 5 class will be held rain or shine. The event is open to ages 10 and up, and all fitness levels are welcome – even those new to Yoga. Participants will need to bring a Yoga mat, towel and water bottle.

Utley has been teaching fitness classes for over 30 years and teaches several classes throughout the Grand Strand.

“We’re glad to partner with organizations like the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex,” Utley said. “As a bank, CCNB cares for your fiscal wellness, but as your neighbors we care about your well-being and the health of our community. We look forward to offering more free community events like this one.”

The North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex hosts over 65 sports tourism events annually. In 2015 the facility welcomed over 500,000 park visits. In addition to sports tourism events, community sports are conducted throughout the facility with over 2,000 young people participating in a variety of youth sports. In addition to its sports playing fields, the park and sports complex includes walking trails, playgrounds, dog parks, nature areas, the Veterans Memorial, and other attractions.

CCNB is a locally operated Myrtle Beach-based community bank serving Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick (NC) counties. It offers a full range of banking services designed to meet the specific needs of individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. Headquartered in Myrtle Beach, CCNB also has branches in Garden City, and a 7,000 square foot office will open soon in North Myrtle Beach.

For more information, visit MyCCNB.com or call the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex at 843-281-3800.

The attached photo by Carl Kerridge Photography shows Maura Utley in a Yoga lotus position on a CCNB conference table.

NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center Hosts S.C. Masters Swimming State Championships February 19-21

180 swimmers ranging in age from 18 to 85, representing 13 teams from SC, NC, GA, TN, NY and NJ, will complete in the 2016 South Carolina Masters Swimming State Championships at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center. The public is invited to come and watch.

The Grand Strand Masters Swimming group will have 34 swimmers participating in the championships.

The meet begins Friday evening at 6pm and concludes Sunday afternoon around 4pm.

For more information, including schedules, visit:

https://www.clubassistant.com/club/meet_information.cfm?c=1860&smid=7145  

RESULTS: February 15 City Council Meeting

During the February 15 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, four City employees were provided with Longevity Awards for their length of service to North Myrtle Beach residents, businesses and visitors. The awards are provided in five year increments to City employees who consistently provide excellent customer service. Receiving awards were Electrician Milton Willoughby (30 years of service), Planner Dawn Snider (15), Motor Equipment Operator Eddie Stevenson (15), and Motor Equipment Operator Arron Vereen (15).

Tom Walker, chairman of the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board, provided Council with a report on the board’s activities and accomplishments for 2015. The board has completed proposed updates to the Public Tree Ordinance for the City, which passed first reading at the Council meeting. The board also held three well-received public education sessions on trees and tree care at the North Myrtle Beach Library.

A newsletter was created to provide North Myrtle Beach residents with more information on the Tree Board’s activities and goals for the year. The newsletter was mailed out with the City’s January 2016 water bills.

During the past year, the Tree City Board provided 12 Tree of the Month awards, which highlighted the features of unique trees within the city. By highlighting the trees and those who care for them, the board hopes to continue to encourage tree preservation and informed tree maintenance throughout the city.

Thanks to the efforts of the board, and City Council’s continued support of board initiatives, North Myrtle Beach again earned the Tree City USA award. The City has earned this award for 10 consecutive years due to its tree preservation, maintenance and planting initiatives.

On December 4, 2015, an Arbor Day celebration was sponsored by the Tree City Board. It included the planting of multiple Willow Oaks at City Hall.

City Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance to rescind the City's current code sections regarding the type of information pawnbrokers located within the city must maintain and electronically transfer to the Public Safety Department. A primary change is that pawnbrokers must now photograph not only an item being pawned but also the person who is pawning the item, and then transmit the same electronically to the Public Safety Department.

City Council tabled until its first meeting in March second reading of an ordinance to annex and zone one lot located adjacent to the Parkway Group PDD (PDD), which is located west of the Intracoastal Waterway. Council wants to wait until an associated Development Agreement has been completed before giving second reading to the proposed annexation and zoning.

Baird Stewart, authorized agent for LStar Communities and NGD Property I/II, LLC, has petitioned the City for annexation of about 60.69 acres of property adjacent to the Waterway Hills section of the PDD. The parcel is currently within unincorporated Horry County. The petition also reflects the requested City zoning district of Planned Development District (PDD) by joining with the existing Parkway Group PDD.

The property is contiguous to the corporate boundary of the City and is zoned Commercial Forest Agriculture under Horry County’s jurisdiction. The property is vacant and unimproved. Surrounding land uses are vacant and a former golf course.

City Council tabled until its first meeting in March second reading of an ordinance for a major amendment to the Parkway Group Planned Development District (PDD) to allow changes to the previously approved phase known as the Waterway Hills Tract and to add a newly annexed area known as the Wilson Chestnut Tract. The area is referred to as “Grande Dunes North” in the PDD, which is located west of the Intracoastal Waterway. Council wants to wait until an associated Development Agreement has been completed before giving second reading to the proposed ordinance.

The proposed amendment reduces the previously approved density for the property from a maximum of 2,500 residential dwelling units to 858 units over a total combined area of 241.46 acres, a 65 percent reduction in housing density.

Grande Dunes North would be a private, gated neighborhood with private roadways using a guard at the entrance gate. The development would be constructed in six phases. Phase I would be the Entrance Parkway and Grande Dunes Connection, Community Amenity, and 119 residential units. Phase II would be north of Phase I along the Intracoastal Waterway. Phase III and Phase V would be north of the Entrance Parkway and Phases IV and VI would be located south of the Entrance Parkway.

City Council tabled until its first meeting in March second reading of an ordinance to amend the Parkway Group Planned Development District (PDD) to allow changes to the previously approved residential tracts known as Seashore Farms and L.L. Chestnut, referred to as “Waterside” in the PDD. Council wants to wait until an associated Development Agreement has been completed before giving second reading of the proposed ordinance.

The Waterside development would be constructed in 10 phases. Phase I is the most complete and plans have been provided to the City for review. Phases II through X will require further review and amendments prior to construction.

Phase I of Waterside includes three proposed neighborhoods— Pinnacle Ridge, Copper Creek and Copper Meadow. When completed, Pinnacle Ridge and Copper Creek will offer a variety of housing options, such as detached single-family homes, neighborhood commercial areas, and attached single-family and multifamily homes. These neighborhoods would be connected by roadways and multi-purpose paths.

City Council passed a motion to appoint Bubba Collins to the North Myrtle Beach Planning Commission.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend the Public Trees Ordinance text, Section 19-56 thru 64, to address recommended revisions proposed by the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board. The Tree City Board is tasked with a review and/or revision of the public tree ordinance every two years in order to maintain Tree City USA status.

The proposed revisions would bring the public tree ordinance up to date by removing obsolete terms and definitions, updating the process by which a public tree may be removed, allowing for the pruning of private trees encroaching into the public right of way, updating the annual work plan, and identifying the Department of Public Safety as the enforcement mechanism for the ordinance.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to approve the "Master Trust Indenture" for the Cherry Grove Municipal Improvement District (Dredging Project), which is a step forward in obtaining financing for the project.

The proposed ordinance approves a Master Trust Indenture ("MTI") for the Cherry Grove Municipal Improvement District ("District") financing, and authorizes the Mayor and City Manager to execute and deliver the MTI upon the issuance of the first series of bonds for the District this year.

The proposed ordinance sets up the mechanics for issuing and paying the bonds, and will be presented to financial institutions, which may have an interest in providing the financing.

Once a lender has been chosen, the final details of the Bonds will be set forth in a "supplemental Resolution", also approved by Council. After that, the financing can proceed to closing. No public hearing is required prior to the enactment of the ordinance.