News Leads After 1/9/14 will be found on the Greater Burgess News blog. Address below

Greater Burgess News blog is at:

http://greaterburgess.blogspot.com

STEEL GIRDERS TO BE COMPLETED TONIGHT OVER US 17 BYPASS/SC707 INTERSECTION FOR THE SOUTH BOUND BRIDGE

January 8, 2014

 

STEEL GIRDERS TO BE COMPLETED TONIGHT OVER US 17 BYPASS/SC707 INTERSECTION FOR THE SOUTH BOUND BRIDGE

 

 

Conway, South Carolina – Setting of the steel girders for the south bound bridge over the US 17 Bypass/SC 707 and Farrow Parkway intersection will be completed tonight (Wednesday, January 8) from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

 

During this time period, motorists will be able to travel north and south bound on US 17 Bypass, however no left turns will be allowed from US 17 Bypass at the intersection of SC 707 and Farrow Parkway. Motorists traveling on SC 707 and Farrow Parkway when approaching the intersection will not be allowed to travel through the intersection or make left turns. Only right turns will be allowed off of SC 707 and Farrow Parkway onto US 17 Bypass.

 

The recommended access for south bound US 17 Bypass and SC 707 wanting to go east on Farrow Parkway would be to use the US 17/SC 544 Interchange. The recommended access for north bound US 17 and Farrow Parkway wanting to go west on SC 707 would be to use the Fantasy Harbour/US 17 Interchange. The alternative detours/routes are placed on signage throughout the vicinity of the project.

 

Once this work is complete the same operation and traffic patterns will be done when the steel girders are set for the northbound bridge, which will be announced at a later date.

 

 

Lisa H. Bourcier | Public Information DirectorHorry County Government
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 1236, Conway, South Carolina 29528
Tel 843.915.5390 | Fax 843.915.6390 | bourcier@horrycounty.org
www.horrycounty.org

Latest Horry County Planner

The Winter 2014 Horry County Planner is now available at:

http://www.windsweptpress.com/TEMP/horryplannerwinter2014.pdf


Features include "Is There a Need for  Food Trucks in Horry County?,"  "The 501 Northbound Lane Expansion" and article on firearms training, Area 5 Community Planning and reports from Boards and Committees.

Back issues of the Horry County Planner, as well as quite a reference site for Area Plans and Major Projects maybe found at the Horry County website for Planning and Zoning:

http://www.horrycounty.org/Departments/PlanningandZoning.aspx

Things to do in the Myrtle Beach area on Jan. 1

December 31, 2013

 
Get outside for history

Celebrate the new year outside in various ways, historically, at:

• Brookgreen Gardens, open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily – regular admission, on U.S. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach, across from Huntington Beach State Park: “The Oaks Plantation History and Nature Trail,” access by minibus only, hourly noon-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through March 7, to archaeological sites, for $3 extra besides gardens admission, which lasts seven days: $14 ages 13-64, $12 ages 65 and older, and $7 ages 4-12. 235-6000, 800-849-1931 or www.brookgreen.org.

• “Emancipation Day Celebration – Remembering the Past While Planning Our Future,” Freewoods Farm, 9515 Freewoods Road, off Bay Road from S.C. 707 in Burgess community, with farm tour at 10 a.m., and Fireside Chat in farmhouse with Annie S. Plowden, lifelong resident of Freewoods and a retired school teacher and community historian, at 11:30. 650-9139 or www.freewoodsfarm.com.

‘First Day Hikes’ at parks

Take guided walks with a S.C. State Parks ranger through “First Day Hikes,” both free with admission – no registration necessary. Each park: $5 ages 16 and older, $3.25 S.C. seniors, $3 ages 6-15:

Much More at:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/12/31/3925423/things-to-do-in-the-myrtle-beach.html

Upcoming Myrtle Beach Health Events

December 29, 2013 

GEORGETOWN
Many of these classes, events and meetings are sponsored by Georgetown Memorial Hospital, but some take place at different locations. Call the numbers listed for more information or visit www.georgetownhospitalsystem.org.

Chronic kidney disease education | Varying schedule, varying locations in Horry and Georgetown counties. Free. 866-647-9396 or www.ultracare-dialysis.com/TOPS.

Obstetrics Tour | 6 p.m. Jan. 6, Georgetown Memorial Hospital. Pre-registration required, 520-8490.

Smoking Cessation series | 6-7 p.m. Jan. 6, 8, 13,15, 20 and 22, Wachesaw Conference Center. Pre-registration required, 520-8490.

I Can Cope Education Series | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8, Waccamaw Community Hospital. Free. Pre-registration required, 652-1640. 

More Listings from throughout the area at:
 

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/12/29/3928880/upcoming-myrtle-beach-area-health.html

Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/12/29/3928880/upcoming-myrtle-beach-area-health.html#storylink=cpy

New movies this week in Myrtle Beach-area theaters

 New this week
 December 26, 2013 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty | Walter Mitty, an employee at Life magazine, spends day after monotonous day developing photos for the publication. To escape the tedium, Walter inhabits a world of exciting daydreams in which he is the undeniable hero. PG. Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Patton Oswalt and Shirley MacLaine.

47 Ronin | After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and restore honor to their people. PG-13. Starring: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano.

Justin Bieber’s Believe | Captures 19-year-old Justin Bieber unfiltered and brutally honest. In brand new interviews with Bieber, the movie reveals long-awaited answers to questions about his passion to make music, relationships and coming of age in the spotlight. PG. Starring: Justin Bieber, Scooter Braun and Pattie Mallette.

MORE Films AT:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/12/26/3921493/new-movies-this-week-in-myrtle.html#storylink=cpy

Health, helping others and more events in the Myrtle Beach area

Save the Date 

December 24, 2013

 Items run on a space-available basis. Submit events at least one week prior to publication date. By mail: Community Calendar, The Sun News, P.O. Box 406, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578. By email: calendar@thesunnews.com. For information, call Lisa Urban, 626-0300.

GIVE SUPPORT

CHARITY BINGO, 357-6116. 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Murrells Inlet Elks Lodge 2797, 3816 U.S. 17 Business S.

CHARITY BINGO, 910-579-4600. First game 6:30 p.m.; doors open 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Calabash Elks Lodge 2679, 937 Carter Drive SW, Calabash, N.C.

BINGO, 449-6217. Doors open 6 p.m., first session 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Myrtle Beach Shrine Club, 9589 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach.

KRISPY KREME GIFT CERTIFICATE FUNDRAISER, 251-4216 or 267-7679. Through Jan. 17. Call if you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like to purchase Krispy Kreme gift certificates at $7 each. Proceeds to benefit Sea Haven Project Lighthouse, a drop-in, support facility for runaway and homeless teens located in Myrtle Beach.

More at:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/12/24/3921446/save-the-date-health-helping-others.html

HORRY COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

23 December 2013

 

Conway, South Carolina – The Horry County Legislative Delegation is currently seeking applicants for the following boards/commissions that either currently have vacancies or terms that will expire during 2014. 

 

• South Carolina Children’s Foster Care Review Board 15-B and 15-C
• South Carolina Forestry Commission
• Horry Georgetown Commission on Technical Education
• Horry County Election Commission
• Horry County Forestry Commission
• Horry County Higher Education Commission
• Horry County Board of Social Services
• Horry County Transportation Committee
• Horry County Board of Voter’s Registration
• Loris Community Hospital Commission
• The Coast RTA (Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority)
• Waccamaw Center for Mental Health-Governing Board
• Waccamaw Regional Education Center Advisory Board
• Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments

 

Individuals interested in serving should contact Connie Turner with Horry County Legislative Delegation at 843-915-5130 or turnerc@horrycounty.org to request an application.  Deadline for receiving applications is January 15, 2014.

EMANCIPATION DAY CELEBRATION

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Freewoods Farm

9515 Freewoods Road

Myrtle Beach (Burgess), SC 29588

            The Fifteenth Annual Emancipation Day Celebration will be held on Wednesday, January 1, 2014. Our theme for the Celebration is: Remembering The Past While Planning Our Future.   It will be a day of remembrance and education.

            Join us at 10:00 A.M. for a Tour of Freewoods Farm (9515 Freewoods Road, Myrtle Beach (Burgess), SC). At 11:30 A.M., join us for a Fireside Chat in the Farm House on Freewoods Farm with Mrs. Annie S. Plowden, a lifelong long resident of Freewoods, a retired school teacher and community historian. .

            There will be NO PROGRAM AT ST. JAMES MIDDLE SCHOOL ON JANUARY 1, 2014. Our Emancipation Day Program at the school is held every other year. No program on January 1, 2014.  Nonetheless, we need your contributions to help in operating Freewoods Farm. We have daily ongoing operating expenses.  Please make a contribution. Your tax deductible contributions will be acknowledged. Mail contributions to: Freewoods Farm, 10546 Freewoods Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588.

            Get ready for our Black History Month Program on Freewoods Farm on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 10:00 AM. See how the old farmers made lime. It’s also a Fish Fry. More Info. on this later.

                                   

           Information: Smalls 843 650 2064; e-mail:oneal8072@yahoo.com  Freewoods Farm is off Highway 707 in Burgess. From Highway 707, take Bay Road to Freewoods Road. See also www.freewoodsfarm.com/    for directions.

Traffic Alert routes 17byass and 707

STEEL GIRDERS TO BE SET OVER US 17 BYPASS/SC707 INTERSECTION FOR THE SOUTH BOUND BRIDGE

Conway, South Carolina – Steel girders for the south bound bridge will be set over the US 17 Bypass/SC 707 and Farrow Parkway intersection starting on Monday, December 16, from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. and continuing the same hours the evening of Tuesday, December 17. If work cannot be completed during this time period, the same operation will continue on Wednesday evening.

During this time period, motorists will be able to travel north and south bound on US 17 Bypass, however no left turns will be allowed from US 17 Bypass at the intersection of SC 707 and Farrow Parkway. Motorists traveling on SC 707 and Farrow Parkway when approaching the intersection will not be allowed to travel through the intersection or make left turns. Only right turns will be allowed off of SC 707 and Farrow Parkway onto US 17 Bypass.

The recommended access for south bound US 17 Bypass and SC 707 wanting to go east on Farrow Parkway would be to use the US 17/SC 544 Interchange. The recommended access for north bound US 17 and Farrow Parkway wanting to go west on SC 707 would be to use the Fantasy Harbour/US 17 Interchange. The alternative detours/routes are placed on signage throughout the vicinity of the project.

Once this work is complete the same operation and traffic patterns will be done when the steel girders are set for the north bound bridge, which will be announced at a later date.

 Here's the map.  Believe it or not, it's only half of what was provided by the transportation department.  Don't bother to enlarge it; you still won't understand it, unless you're a highway engineer.  Just remember to be careful when near the intersection of 17 Bypass and 707 (Market Commons Area).  If you don't know where that is, head north from here up 17 Bypass until you're stuck in traffic and there you are!

U.S. tech companies call for more controls on surveillance

LONDON Mon Dec 9, 2013

(Reuters) - Eight major U.S. web companies, including Apple, Google and Facebook, made a joint call on Monday for tighter controls on how governments collect personal data, intensifying the furor over online surveillance.

In an open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama and Congress, the companies said recent revelations showed the balance had tipped too far in favor of the state in many countries and away from the individual.

In June, former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden exposed top secret government surveillance programs that tap into communications on cables linking technology companies' various data centers overseas.

After Snowden's disclosure, many of the big Internet companies warned that American businesses may lose revenue abroad as distrustful customers switched to local alternatives.

"We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens," said the letter from the eight firms which also included Microsoft Corp, Twitter, LinkedIn Corp, Yahoo Inc and AOL Inc.

"But this summer's revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide."

Continue at:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/09/us-usa-security-surveillance-idUSBRE9B807K20131209

Murrells Inlet: Plan to protect watershed needs funding

By Jason Lesley

Coastal Observer

Saving the oyster beds in Murrells Inlet from a rising tide of pollutants is the top priority of a watershed study that will be submitted to the state Department of Health and Environmental Services early next year.
Dan Newquist, a planner for Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments, told members of the Winyah Chapter of the Sierra Club this week that the plan is in the rough draft stage after about a year’s work. It is due by Feb. 21 with hopes it will lead to funds to implement recommendations to maintain water quality standards that allow human consumption of shellfish.
Newquist said keeping the inlet’s two public shellfish grounds open is a very important goal for the plan. “That is a public resource and has been part of the Murrells Inlet culture for a long time,” he said. Additionally, he said, there are six other commercially leased shellfish areas in the inlet. 

Continue at:

 http://www.coastalobserver.com/articles/2013/120513/4.html

 

Amazon testing delivery by drone, CEO Bezos says

 Alistair Barr

 USA TODAY December 1, 2013
 

It would speed up delivery of online orders, but the technology is at least three or four years away.

Amazon.com is testing delivering packages using drones, CEO Jeff Bezos said on the CBS TV news show 60 Minutes Sunday.

The idea would be to deliver packages as quickly as possible using the small, unmanned aircraft, through a service the company is calling Prime Air, the CEO said.

Bezos played a demo video on 60 Minutes that showed how the aircraft, also known as octocopters, will pick up packages in small yellow buckets at Amazon's fulfillment centers and fly through the air to deliver items to customers after they hit the buy button online at Amazon.com.

The goal of the new delivery system is to get packages into customers' hands in 30 minutes or less, the world's largest Internet retailer said. Putting Prime Air into commercial use will take "some number of years" as Amazon develops the technology further and waits for the Federal Aviation Administration to come up with rules and regulations, the company added.

Bezos told 60 Minutes that the service could be up and running in as few as four years — although he noted that he is an optimist when it comes to such things.

"One day, Prime Air vehicles will be as normal as seeing mail trucks on the road today," the company said.

This is the latest futuristic effort by Bezos, who was an e-commerce pioneer in the 1990s and more recently popularized the e-reader — while pursuing personal projects such as private spaceflight and a 10,000-year clock built inside a mountain.

Continue at:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/12/01/amazon-bezos-drone-delivery/3799021/

How to Start a Year-Round Family Gratitude Ritual

By RON LIEBER
November 28, 2013


Sometime this Thanksgiving or in the coming weeks, you and yours will probably share notes on the things for which you’re thankful.

Perhaps you’ll take the basic approach, where everyone at the table mentions one thing. Or you’ll ask everyone to write an affirming note of some sort on every guest’s place card. Or distribute a pre-meal questionnaire.

But after a few tears and belly laughs, you may also wonder why you and your children don’t do this kind of thing more often. There is a fast-growing collection of studies around gratitude and its links to everything from stronger immune systems to better divorces. And while the study of gratitude in children is still in its early stages, evidence is also emerging that it can help them too.

Here are a few things to try.

Continued at:

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/28/how-to-start-a-year-round-family-gratitude-ritual/

Myrtle Beach Shopping Days aim to lure customers this weekend

By Maya T. Prabhu


MYRTLE BEACH — Grand Strand residents are encouraged to head to Myrtle Beach businesses this weekend for 72 hours of sales during “Myrtle Beach Shopping Days.”

Businesses in Myrtle Beach can participate in the city-wide shopping days event, where certain regulations are relaxed to allow businesses to promote three days of sales.

According to a resolution approved by the Myrtle Beach City Council in July, the “Myrtle Beach Shopping Days” will be held the weekend after Thanksgiving and Easter weekend.

Continue at:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/11/25/3861433/myrtle-beach-shopping-days-aim.html

Why Does Health Care Cost so Much in America?

By David Cutler


The American health care system is structured differently from systems in other countries, making it more expensive. 

Paul Solman: Harvard's David Cutler is among the country's foremost health economists, famous for -- among other research -- a controversial paper arguing that even our exorbitant health care industry, in terms of increased productivity and life span outcomes, delivers more than what we pay for it.

Cutler, who was profiled by Roger Lowenstein in the New York Times Magazine in 2005, subsequently worked for President Barack Obama on health care issues, and talked to us recently for a story about cost savings. But far more of what he had to say seemed worthwhile than what we have time to air. Here is some of it.

Paul Solman: Why does health care cost so much in America?

David Cutler: Let me give you three reasons why. The first one is because the administrative costs of running our health care system are astronomical. About one quarter of health care cost is associated with administration, which is far higher than in any other country.

Paul Solman: What's the next highest?

David Cutler: About 10, 15 percent. Just to give you one example, Duke University Hospital has 900 hospital beds and 1,300 billing clerks. The typical Canadian hospital has a handful of billing clerks. Single-payer systems have fewer administrative needs. That's not to say they're better, but that's just on one dimension that they clearly cost less. What a lot of those people are doing in America is they are figuring out how to bill different insurers for different systems, figuring out how to collect money from people, all of that sort of stuff.

The second reason health care costs so much in America is that the U.S. spends more than other countries do on many of the same things. Drugs are the most commonly noted item, where a branded drug will cost much more in the U.S. than in other countries. But, for example, doctors also earn more for doing the same thing in the U.S. than they do in other countries, and a lot of suppliers charge more for things like durable medical equipment in the U.S. than in other countries.

Continue at:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2013/11/why-does-health-care-cost-so-m.html

Murrells Inlet: Changing board signals group’s changing priorities

By Jason Lesley

Coastal Observer

Last week’s changing of the guard on the Murrells Inlet 2020 board of directors was set in motion 16 years ago when the group was formed with the dual mission of promoting economic growth and protecting the inlet’s water quality.

Eventually, directors would have to choose one over the other.

When owners of the six restaurants along the Marsh Walk decided to stage a series of weekly fireworks displays to promote tourism last summer, a majority of Murrells Inlet 2020 directors objected on the grounds that the fireworks residue polluted the water. That vote exposed a rift between the economic growth and water quality factions. Al Hitchcock, an owner of Drunken Jack’s Restaurant and Inlet Affairs, and Charlie Campbell, owner of Dead Dog Salloon, were asked to leave a board meeting during fireworks discussions after new conflict of interest guidelines were established. Without the restaurateurs’ input the board voted to condemn the weekly fireworks exhibits.

Continued at:

http://www.coastalobserver.com/articles/2013/111413/4.html

World Jealous of Scandinavian Women?

By Lynn Parramore



Right:  Denmark's member of the European Parliament Hanne Dahl votes as she attends with her baby a voting session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg March 26, 2009. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler


Icelanders are among the happiest and healthiest people on Earth. They publish more books per capita than any other country, and they have more artists. They boast the most prevalent belief in evolution — and elves, too. Iceland is the world's most peaceful nation (the cops don't even carry guns), and the best place for kids. Oh, and they've got a lesbian head of state, the world's first. Granted, the national dish is putrefied shark meat, but you can't have everything.

Iceland is also the best place to have a uterus, according to the folks at the World Economic Forum. The Global Gender Gap Report ranks countries based on where women have the most equal access to education and healthcare, and where they can participate most fully in the country's political and economic life.

According to the 2013 report, Icelandic women pretty much have it all. Their sisters in Finland, Norway, and Sweden have it pretty good, too: those countries came in second, third and fourth, respectively. Denmark is not far behind at number seven.

The U.S. comes in at a dismal 23rd, which is a notch down from last year. At least we're not Yemen, which is dead last out of 136 countries.

Continue at:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/31/us-why-scandinavian-women-idUSBRE99U18W20131031

Nov 08, 2013
By Heather Biance

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Their reasons for joining the military were all different - some volunteered, others were drafted. On Veterans Day, the country honors their selfless service in times of war.

"I felt proud to be an American. I felt a new kind of strength to be considered a man at 17," says World War II Veteran, Alford Powell.

Others, like Vietnam veteran Carl Crowthers, were drafted. The then-27-year-old went from being a salesman to a medic in eight short weeks of training.

"It was very fulfilling, but on the other hand I saw a lot of casualties and lost some good friends while I was there," says Crowthers.

It's been more than 40 years, but even after all this time, it takes one mention of James' name to bring him back in time.

Crowther's goes on, "He pleaded to me everyday Lieutenant, Lieutenant, I'm going to die, I'm going to die. And I said 'James, I'll get you out of here as soon as I can.' But there was just no replacement. Medics were short at the time. That weighs on me."

Continue at:

http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/23917291/veterans-from-wwii-to-iraq-reflect-on-their-service