Greg Frazier hired as North Myrtle Beach Fire Marshal

The City of North Myrtle Beach has hired Greg Frazier as its new Fire Marshal. He will report to work on May 2. 

Frazier has worked in the fire service for 30 years. He retired in early 2016 after 15 years in the Fire Marshal’s office in Raleigh, NC. He served as shift Deputy Fire Marshal in Raleigh for the past six years.

Frazier has extensive experience in inspections, the testing of fire protection installations, and operations involving all occupancy classes. He has also taught fire inspection certification classes for over 20 years.

Before joining the Raleigh Fire Department, Frazier served as Fire Marshal for the city of Henderson, NC. 

“Our area was listed recently as one of the fastest growing areas in the United States,” said Fire Chief Garry Spain, “and Raleigh is listed as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. That experience with growth should help Greg in his transition to our area, and it will be of great benefit to us.”

“With his experience in the fire service, as well as his outgoing personality, we feel like Greg will be a great fit for North Myrtle Beach,” said Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez.  “We are very excited to have him join the department.”

Two FREE Anti- Bullying Seminars to be held Saturday, April 23 at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center in North Myrtle Beach

Two free anti-bullying seminars will be held April 23 at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, 1030 Possum Trot Road, North Myrtle Beach. One seminar will run from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. for elementary school age children and their families, and another from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. for middle school and high school children and their families.

The seminars will be presented by Sensei Chris Greene, whose goal is to help keep kids safe by overcoming bully problems and restoring confidence. Developing strength through confidence can help to prevent kids from looking like victims. Each 90 minute seminars is fast-paced, fun and lively. Participants will learn practical techniques and strategies for dealing with bullies that are easy to remember and easy to accomplish. By gaining an understanding of bullies and their tactics, children can overcome bullying problems. They will stop fearing bullies, and feel good about themselves.

People six years of age and older who participates in the Anti-Bullying Seminar will receive a free trial period coupon to Sensei Chris Greene’s Taekwondo class, which is held at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center on Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  The 27-year-old class features seven black belt assistant instructors. Participants learn defensive skills in a comfortable, nonthreatening environment. Taekwondo is a fun sport that provides great exercise, builds confidence, and teaches old school values such as, honor, dignity, accountability, courage, respect, and self-reliance. The class is primarily for beginner and intermediate students, however, students can advance to black belt level over time.

For more information, contact Chris Greene at (843) 450-0498 or chrisgreene444@yahoo.com. Interested persons may also call the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department at (843) 280–5584 or visit http://parks.nmb.us .

City of North Myrtle Beach offers residential recycling program

The city of North Myrtle Beach believes in residential recycling, and its public works department intends to exceed South Carolina’s statewide goal of 40% participation. Toward that end, the department will enclose a brochure outlining its residential recycling program opportunities in with the city’s April water bill.

The city provides weekly curbside collection of residential recyclables, and will provide each customer with a recycling bin or recycling roll-cart container (based on availability). There is no cost for the initial bin or roll-cart, however, a replacement fee is charged for lost or stolen roll-carts. Recycling roll-carts are available in 64 gallon or 48 gallon sizes at the customer's option. Residents can acquire a recycling bin or roll-cart by contacting the public works department at (843) 280-5500.

The following materials may be included in North Myrtle Beach residential curbside recycling: Newspapers; magazines; catalogs; junk mail (first dispose of any personal information via shredding); phone books with hard cover removed; cereal, snack and cracker cardboard boxes; shoe boxes; corrugated cardboard boxes that have been emptied and flattened; aluminum and metal cans, including aerosol cans; plastic jugs and bottles marked with No. 1-7; glass jars and bottles.

Participants are asked to place recyclables at curbside only on their recycling collection day. Materials left at curbside for prolonged periods of time can be blown away by wind or swept away by rainfall, leading to clogged storm water drains.

The city also operates a recycling drop-off site on Bay Street at 6th Avenue South and a cardboard collection site at its solid waste transfer station at 1220 Second Avenue South.                    E-Waste can also be taken to this location.

The city offers a special cardboard collection service for anyone moving in or out of a home, and immediately following the Christmas holidays. During those times, place your flattened cardboard boxes at curbside on your scheduled recycling pick up day. You must call (843) 280-5500 in advance to receive this limited service.

The following materials are not accepted for curbside recycling but may be recycled at the Horry County Solid Waste Authority’s Convenience Centers: Batteries, cooking oil, household electronics, scrap metal, tires, shoes, textiles, used motor oil, used filters, and yard waste. A list of Convenience Center locations is available at www.solidwasteauthority.org.

Chemicals, paints, and cleaners may be recycled at the Horry County Solid Waste Authority location on Highway 90 on the third Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

NMB Tree City Board presents its April Tree of the Month Award to Bill and Marianne McDonald

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board recently presented its Tree of the Month Award to Bill and Marianne McDonald, 805 Tillson Road, North Myrtle Beach.

The McDonalds received the award for the manner in which they have preserved two trees on their property, a large Live Oak and a large Hickory.

When the McDonald’s home was constructed in 1984, the two large trees were present on the undeveloped lot. The owner was so impressed with the spread of the two trees that he had their contractor build the carport around one and a deck around the other. Cost was not an issue.

The McDonalds say that they have had to trim the tree that extends up through the carport roof but the benefits far outweigh the ongoing maintenance effort.

Apart from the beauty that the tree lends to their property, the shade offered by the crown of the tree helps to cool their home’s inside temperature by 10 or more degrees during the hot and humid summer months.

The tree growing up through their deck also provides shade and enhances their enjoyment of the outdoor setting.

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board began its Tree of the Month Award program in 2010 as a way to recognize unique trees within the community that have been preserved over the years. The program also provides a platform to remind people of the benefits and importance that trees offer in our daily lives.

If you think you have the biggest, prettiest, or most unusual tree in North Myrtle Beach, or that your tree has a unique story attached to it, the Tree City Board encourages you to contact North Myrtle Beach Parks & Grounds Superintendent Jim Grainger at (843) 280-5571 or via email at  nmbtreeboard@nmb.us.

City of North Myrtle Beach to Seal and Stripe Public Parking Lots Over the Next Two Weeks or More

Weather permitting, contractors will seal and stripe a variety of public parking lots in the city of North Myrtle Beach wide over the next two weeks or more.

In an effort to make sure the selected lots are empty when the work crews arrive, public grounds staff will barricade and sign the lots the day before work is scheduled to occur. As a last resort, cars owned by uncooperative persons will be towed.

Work Schedule

Monday, 4/11 Sealing – Ingress to be blocked on 4/10

• Ocean Boulevard parking at 50th Avenue North
• Cherry Grove Fire Station on Sea Mountain Highway
• Ocean Boulevard parking at Shorehaven Drive
• 47th Avenue South street end

Thursday 4/14 – Ingress to be blocked 4/13

• Ocean Boulevard Parking at 4th Avenue North
• 4th Avenue North street end
• Ocean Park at 1st Avenue South
• Ocean Boulevard parking at 20th Avenue South

Week of 4/18-4/22 – Specific dates to be determined

• 23rd Avenue South street end
• 27th Avenue South street end
• Central Park across from the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center
• Central Park overflow behind Captain Jack’s Seafood
• Barefoot Fire Station
• NMB Park & Sports Complex Baseball parking area – East side
• NMB Park & Sports Complex Soccer parking area – West side
• NMB Park & Sports Complex lakefront parking

United States Merchant Marine Monument unveiling ceremony

The John T. Schmidt South Carolina Palmetto Mariners proudly invite you to attend the United States Merchant Marine Monument unveiling ceremony scheduled for Friday, April 8, 2016, from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., at Warbird Park, Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Prior to my Father, John T. “Jack” Schmidt, passing the Final Bar on July 11, 2014, he led the Chapter to begin the quest of honoring fellow Mariners with a permanent monument in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

During World War II, 9,300 Mariners were killed (1 in 26), 12,000 were wounded, and 1,500 ships were sunk. Jack was on one of those ships and he has never forgotten his fellow Mariners.

Casualties were kept secret during the war avoid providing information to the enemy and to keep the Mariners at sea. It took 15 tons of supplies to support one soldier for one year at the front. They delivered tanks, amphibious craft, airplanes, jeeps, ammunition, PT boats, gasoline aviation fuel, trucks medicine and food rations. Since the Mariners were not government issued (G.I.), they did not receive the benefits offered by the G.I. Bill. Mariners are honored on countless memorials across the country, including the new World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Sadly, in some places, they are deemed “civilians” and relegated to the back of the monument.

It is important to the Chapter to know you received this invitation. Please RSVP with your attendance or regrets to Linda Womer at rew6@ptd.net by March 15.

The Chapter hopes to see you at this historic memorial unveiling ceremony in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

For more details contact the John T. Schmidt South Carolina Palmetto Mariners located at 6001 South Kings Highway Unit 45 Myrtle Beach SC 29575, phone: 929-880-0043.

Vendors have until April 15 to sign up for the 11th Annual Mayfest on Main festival

The 11th Annual Mayfest on Main® Festival will be held May 7 on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Vendors who would like to participate must register with the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation department by April 15.

Applications for homemade arts & crafts, professional, nonprofit organization, food, and other vendors are available online at http://parks.nmb.us/

Completed applications, together with appropriate fees made payable to the City of North Myrtle Beach, should be mailed to Mayfest on Main, NMB Parks & Recreation Department, 1018 2nd Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m., giving locals and tourists all day to browse various food and craft vendors while children can enjoy rides and games in the kid’s area.

This one day rain or shine event attracts about 15,000 people to celebrate the beginning of summer. A community stage will offer live music and performances from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Beginning at 12:30 p.m. the main stage line-up includes Mother’s Finest followed by Dr. W at 2:00 p.m. and ending with the legendary band, Mickey Thomas’ Starship, starting at 4:00 p.m.