North Myrtle Beach Magazine - Spring 2010
78
A VACATION HOME AWAY FROM HOME WHERE KIDS EAT FREE SIGNATURE GOLF $ Priceless $ O NLINE M AGAZINE NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
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Transcript of North Myrtle Beach Magazine - Spring 2010
A VAcAtion Home AwAy From Home
wHere kids eAt Free
signAture golF$ Priceless $
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nOrth MyrtleBeach
tab
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Buy locAl 5
A VAcAtion Home AwAy From Home 11
liFe insurAnce security you cAn BAnk on 13
ABout nortH myrtle BeAcH 15
signAture golF 17
design & style tips For weddings 21
switcHing scHools midyeAr? 25
smArt tips For BABy Boomer retirement plAnning 31
FAmily cookBook keep memeries AliVe 35
How ice on your cell pHone cAn Help sAVe your liFe 39
kids eAt Free 43
prepAring For A domestic AttAck 45
How to Add toucHes oF glAmorous green to your Home decor 49
time to reFinAce or Buy? 53
cHArleston’s new Arts weBsite 57
don’t let AcHes & pAins slow you down 59
top 5 spring Allergy mistAkes to AVoid tHis seAson 63
spring BreAk For grownups 67
powerFul AdVice For motHers 72
Buy LocaLPromoting local business is as simple as having other company’s business cards or brochures posted on a board in your store. In an effort to promote your area, we are distributing decals that say “Check us out at www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc,” in hopes that local shoppers will visit the site to find local restaurants, clothing, specials, coupons and more. We are doing our part, so please join us, and promote your local merchants, and everyone will benefit!
Top Ten reasons To Think LocaLBuy LocaL - Be LocaL – heLp LocaL Businesses
1. Buy LocaL -- Support yourself and North Myrtle Beach. Many studies have revealed when you buy from an independent, locally owned business in the your own area, rather than a nationally owned businesses, considerably more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses. Local businesses continue to strengthen the economic base of the local community. These include case studies showing that local local owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced economic impact to the community and our tax base.
2.supporT LocaL area communiTy Groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller North Myrtle Beach area business owners than they do from large companies.
3. keep your area unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind local businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character. Local tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust.
4. reduce environmenTaL impacT: Locally owned businesses in your area can make more local purchases requiring less transportation. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. creaTe addiTionaL JoBs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in the community, provide the most jobs to local residents.
6. receive BeTTer service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products and services they offer, and take more time to get to know customers.
Cont. next page
From The ediTor
www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc Online Magazine | 2009 5
7.invesT in your communiTy: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, and they are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
8. puT your Taxes To Good use: Local businesses require a rela-tively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering your area.
9. Buy WhaT you WanT, noT WhaT BiG adverTisinG BudGeTs WanT you To Buy: A South Carolina marketplace comprised of tens of thou-sands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small busi-nesses, each selecting products and ser-vices based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, promises a much broader range of product choices.
10. promoTe LocaL prosperiTy: An escalating body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homog-enized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
Carl Carolina, Editor in Chief
www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc Online Magazine | 2009 6
ceo Dennis Stewart
editor in cHieFLarry Local
Art directorAmy Coats
weB deVelopers Matthew Coats
AdministrAtion & mArketingShaun Stacey
www.nortHmyrtleBeAcH.sc online mAgAZineCopyright © 2009Carolina Media Services. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.
3290 Ashley Phosphate Road Charleston, SC 29418Toll Free: (866)532-4725Fax: (866)[email protected] www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc
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e (ARA) - Getting away during the spring months is popular for many families, especially families with children in school looking for a break from the spring semester. Visiting relatives, traveling from one sightseeing opportunity to another and cramming the whole crew into a hotel room with tight sleeping quarters and one bathroom is all par for the course, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be.
Travelers are jumping on the vacation home rental bandwagon, where they’re finding comfortable spaces, just-like-home amenities and a more relaxing experience - all for about what it costs to book a hotel room. In this tough economy, owners of second homes are increasingly renting out their properties for some extra cash, according to HomeAway, a collection of vacation-rental Web sites. And as the market floods, prices drop to lure renters.
A recent online search of hotels in La Jolla, Calif., a beautiful seaside commu-nity that’s technically part of San Diego, revealed some hotel rooms starting around $150 a night. A search for vacation homes returned two bedroom, two bathroom options starting at just over $100 a night.
Not only do you get more space, you get the luxuries of home, such as a full kitchen, washer/dryer and parking, all of which are further money-savers. Plus, standard hotel rooms can be pretty boring, rarely lending insight into the destination’s character. Vacation rentals are an actual person’s home, albeit a second home. And some are even pet-friendly.
Here’s how to find a vacation rental that suits your needs:
where to startAway.com, a research and travel-planning Web site, offers a comprehensive listing of vacation rentals, including houses and condos, from all over the Web. Find it at away.com/vacationrentals.
be comfortableIf the thought of renting a vacation home “sight unseen” and directly from the owner is daunting, work with a property management company. Such companies, particularly ones with local offices, know the market well and might even be able to move you to another property if a problem arises.
Do your homeworkCheck out online photos and read all property reviews. If you’re renting directly from an owner, reach out to them with questions and put a face to the transaction. And the golden rule: Clarify all costs and payment methods upfront. Time invested in the beginning will yield a more enjoyable experience in the end.
Whatever you decide is right for your spring vacation, book it now. As usual, the early bird will get the worm.
liFe insurAncesecurity you cAn BAnk on(ARA) - Even in the best of times, life insurance can offer an extra measure of peace of mind in terms of helping to provide financial security. But the need for life insurance is even more significant during difficult economic times, when jobs are harder to find and dependents are in greater need of financial assistance.
The current high rate of unemployment is causing consumers to re-evaluate the importance of individual life insurance coverage, with many viewing it as an essential component of long-term financial security for their families and loved ones.
“People have been hit hard and aren’t sure where to turn,” says Mark Hug with Prudential’s Individual Life Insurance business. “They see life insurance as a way to help pro-vide stability and financial protection.”
Hug notes that a recent report titled Navigating Life Insurance Choices in Challenging Times issued by Prudential Financial, Inc. in September, found recent layoffs made two-thirds of consumers realize they need more insurance than their employers provide. But, 22 percent do not have more coverage beyond what they get at work and 18 percent have no coverage at all, according to the report.
The discrepancy between the coverage people have and the coverage they believe they need seems to boil down to the fact that the choices in life insurance policies can be confusing.
getting stArted
The good news is, determining your needs is not as complicated as it may first appear. When selecting a policy, consider several key things, including:
* Calculating how much coverage you need.* Considering the period of time for which you need
coverage to determine if term or permanent insurance is right for you.
* Determining how your needs fit within an overall plan that suits your personal circumstances, your financial priorities and your budget.
understAnding your options
Like its name implies, term life insurance provides coverage for a specified “term” or period of time. It is usually less expensive than whole life or permanent insurance, especially in the early years of the policy, and can be a good option for people who want maximum coverage at minimum cost.
Whole or permanent life insurance provides lifetime coverage and premiums are typically paid for as long as the policy remains in place. In addition to providing a death benefit, permanent policies can potentially accumulate cash value, which can be accessed via loans or withdrawals. Loans and withdrawals will reduce policy cash values and the death benefit and may have tax consequences.
When in doubt, a combination of coverage can be a good approach to cover all your bases. A financial professional or a life insurance agent can play an important role in helping you determine what level of protection you need by evaluating present and future financial responsibilities and income, and identifying the right products to help meet those needs. When it comes to financial security, life insurance offers the kind of guarantee you can take to the bank. Of course, it’s also important to note that all guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. For more information, download a copy of Navigating Life Insurance Choices in Challenging Times.
About North Myrtle beAchSouth Carolina
The North Myrtle Beach area has a variety of activities and amusements for the entire family to enjoy. Choose from unique activities such as the local aquarium and themed amusement parks to all time favorites such as miniature golf courses and race tracks. Whether you want rollercoaster rides and horseback riding or family golf and fishing excursions, there are plenty of activities for everyone. And new is the world’s largest inflatable waterslide, located on the oceanfront in North Myrtle Beach! Also, bring your family to enjoy the brand new O.D. Pavilion & Amusement Park! Enjoy a fun-filled experience with exciting rides, fun-filled games, great food, delicious snacks, and much more overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the thrill of exciting rides for all ages. This is one of the most scenic amusement parks along the Grand Strand located directly on the beach overlook-ing the ocean.
No matter the season, there are many family friendly activities to keep you busy during your family vacation in North Myrtle Beach. Now, the hardest part of your planning is deciding which fun-filled activity you’d like to experience first!
Design & Style Tips offer a creative spin on an old wedding tradition
(ARA) - Something old, something new; Something borrowed, something blue; And a silver sixpence in her shoe.
An enduring Victorian tradition steeped in superstitious symbolism, the verse containing a series of old, new, borrowed and blue good luck tokens for the bride dates back centuries in England.
John C. Franke, style expert and faculty member at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, offers a creative spin on the age-old tradition for the bride-to-be in 2010.
Something old: Continuity with the bride’s family & the past
According to Franke, trends suggest a rising popularity in vintage gowns. “A 1960s-era gown will not only allow a bride to check something “old” off her list, but may also offer affordability and superior workmanship,” says Franke who recommends vintage shops as well as eBay to begin the
search. “To make her purchase even more meaningful, a bride might consider purchasing a dress from one of many organiza-tions who recycle wedding gowns for charitable fundraising.”
For another possibility to represent something “old,” Franke suggests implementing a table of wedding photographs collected from family and friends attending the reception. The photos will honor the marriages of couples close to the bride and groom as well as provide a wonderful center for conversation.
Something new: Optimism and hope for the bride’s life ahead
“Renewable is the new ‘new,’” says Franke. For a fresh approach to something new, Franke suggests environmentally responsible decisions such as selecting
potted perennials for centerpieces. “Potted wildflowers will create a vibrant setting for the reception and can later be planted in the garden at the newlywed’s home.”
Franke also suggests seed satchels as favors to serve as a long-living connection to the wedding.
Even guests can get into the game. “If you’re invited to a wedding this year, consider presenting the couple with a gift that offers a new spin on traditional gift options.” Franke suggests antiques carefully selected for the couple or aluminum serving pieces.
Something borrowed: A reminder that the bride can still depend on friends and family
Traditionally, a bride can borrow anything from her best friend’s punch bowl to her grandmother’s pearls, but Franke suggests fulfilling the adage by creating a buzz. “Why not borrow an antique car and create a dramatic exit from your wedding?” Franke asks.
Another emerging trend is the borrowing of the cake knife from one bride to another within a family. Starting a tradition now of passing along your cake knife or other wedding essentials is not only cost-saving, but also creates a legacy that future generations will treasure.
Something blue: A color suggesting purity and fidelity as evidenced in the 19th century phrase “Marry in blue, lover be true.”
Building blues into the wedding color scheme is an option for completing your old, new, borrowed and blue checklist, and at the same time, developing a color scheme for your reception.
“Think like a graphic designer,” says Franke. “Consider your wedding colors as a controlled palette.” Franke encourages the bride to visit a paint store or check a Pantone system and define a series of colors, never more than three.
Once selected, the bride can keep the color chips with her throughout the planning period so that the exact colors are always available when decisions are made about bridesmaids’ gowns, table linens, floral arrangements and other decorative elements.
According to Franke, blues are an elegant choice for any season. He suggests pairing royal blues with yellow for a classic summer wedding; blue and pink for spring; and icy blues with whites or silver for a winter wedding.
To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.
You never know how many friends you
have until you rent a house on
the beach
Switching schools midyear? More parents going virtual to ease transition
(ARA) - Every year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 2 million American families with children move - and their children switch schools. While many families move over the summer, so their kids can start new schools in the fall, others make the school switch midyear, often because of parent job changes or family economic challenges.
In addition, as more school options are becoming available to parents, a growing number of families who aren’t moving their homes are nonetheless changing their children’s schools midyear. Parents who do so are often seeking to give their child a “fresh start” for a variety of reasons: a student who’s bored, or one who’s not getting the individualized attention he needs. Student health or social issues can also be factors.
Educators say many families switching their kids’ school midyear are turning to virtual schools like Connections Academy. The reason istwo-fold. First, more families than ever have embraced virtual education in
general - roughly 2 million American K-12 students now get some or all of their education virtually, according to research firm Ambient Insight. And second, the very format of virtual schools eases the student’s adjustment period - and physical transitions for both student and family.
At these schools, learning takes place at home, with a parent or “learning coach” on site, withinstruction directed by certified teachers, with whom student and parents communicate frequently by phone and e-mail. Connections Academy enrollment counselors - who oversee enrollments across a national network of 15 schools -- report that their midyear student enrollments have increased 200 percent over the past four years.
School counselors say that with a little advance planning, a smooth transition to a virtual public school can be easy, and the student can soon achieve both academic and emotional success in his new school.
Here are the Connections Academy counselors’ tips for parents to ensure a seamless transition for their child to a virtual school in 2010.
1. Insist on quality: Not all virtual schools are created equal. Many states have virtual public schools; check www.ConnectionsAcademy.com to see if there’s one in your state. Like all public schools, these schools are tuition-free to families. In states where virtual public schools are not available, there are many fee-based virtual private school options. Do your homework to be sure you’re picking a high-quality virtual school. High-quality virtual schools employ professional and certified teachers. Make sure the school offers an accredited program with a wide range of courses, and a
proven curriculum developed by professional educators. Talk to parents with students currently enrolled in the school.
2. Plan ahead: Think about the best time to make the school switch. For high school (and some middle school) students, it’s ideal to finish out the quarter or semester, and then start the new period in the new school. The student gets a fresh start in his new courses, and will have completed coursework from his semester in his previous school. Parents should find out when finals and/or the next upcoming grading period ends in their current school, and when the new one starts, and use this as the target start date for the new school. Of course, sometimes life throws you a curve ball - unexpected job changes or other sudden family matters seldom come with advance warning. In that case, parents should reach out to the virtual school’s guidance and enrollment officials as early as they can, and work with them to make the school switch as smooth as possible.
3. Get your paperwork in order: It can take a while to complete the enrollment process at a virtual school, so parents should start sooner rather than later gathering together all the necessary paperwork they’ll need toenroll their child in the new virtual school - transcripts, birth certificates, immunization records, and the like. Check, of course, with enrollment officials at the new school to get a list of required documents, and what, if any, admission deadlines might apply.
4. Transfer credits: Many schools don’t mail home fall semester or 2nd quarter report cards until well into the spring semester, making it tricky for some parents to show proof of course completion, and to get all the student’s course credits transferred to the new school. Parents facing this situation should check with their new school’s enrollment counselors to find out what other alternative paperwork they can supply, and then request it from the previous school.
5. Maintain an open dialogue: The parents’ role in ensuring a smooth midyear transition doesn’t end when their child is enrolled in his new virtual public school, has all his books and academic supplies and has started classes. “The key to a smooth transition - to any school, not just a virtual public school -- is for parents to maintain an open dial
Get Your Carolina
Girl Gear!
Smart tips for baby boomer retirement planning
(ARA) - If you are one of America’s 78.2 million baby boomers, you are likely considering what ideal retirement will look like, and the steps re-quired achieving it. With the current economic downturn, many boomers are finding it necessary to revisit their initial retirement goals.
According to the Social Security Administration, today’s retirees count on
corporate pensions and Social Security for
56 percent of
their retirement income. With a few minor adjustments, some careful planning and a positive attitude, the other 44 percent is attainable.
www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc Online Magazine | 2009 30
“It’s never too late to start planning for retirement and it’s crucial that life insurance is considered as the foundation of your plan.” says Vikki Pryor, president and CEO at SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. “Determine your needs by deciding how much money surviving family or loved ones will need to maintain their standard of living if you are no longer around to protect them. Women need to pay particular attention to their retirement planning options.” To learn more about the educational tools and insurance products designed with baby boomers in mind visit www.sbliusa.com.
Consider the following tips for smart retirement planning:
1. Assess your financial plan and budget.
* Begin to assess your basic retirement income sources such as a 401(k) plan, IRA, and life insurance plans.
* How much will you need to retire? Determine this by creating a budget that will enable you to pay your monthly expenses such as food, heat, rent and transportation. Consider expenses that may increase such as health insurance and
prescription medicines. At the same time, consider those that may decrease,
such as work-related and educational spending.
* Health care coverage is necessary in supplementing your financial foundation and these costs can add up fast. It’s important to have an adequate plan both before and after retirement. After age 65 you are eligible for Medicare coverage. But what if you want to retire before then? Your employer may offer a plan for retiring employees, or you may have to look into private coverage, so be sure to consider this.
* Take into account variable expenses such as tax liabilities on your home, illness or the care of elderly parents. Other, often underestimated, variables include gifts, clothing, recreational expenses, and increases in costs of living. For valuable retirement planning resources and projected trends in costs of living visit www.usa.gov.
2. Begin to explore other retirement income options.
* Determine the amount of guaranteed retirement income you already have. Examples of these are cash savings, corporate pension plans, home equity, or annuity-type investments.
* Are you married? If so, how will that affect your retirement budget?
* Pay attention to how your retirement funds are earning money. Are they structured for maximum returns? It’s crucial that you continually assess these funds.
* Decide when to begin Social Security benefits. According to AARP, for each year you put off collecting your benefits between ages 62 and 70, you increase your payments by 8 percent.
* Calculate your potential monthly retirement budget based on your estimated income weighed against your expenses. At minimum, you need enough retirement income to cover basic living expenses for your lifetime.
* If your initial assessment requires additional income, consider part-time work during retire-ment, or perhaps selling your larger home for a more comfortable, carefree condo.
3. Consider life insurance - the foundation of a solid retirement plan.
* If you don’t have a life insurance policy, get one. Life insurance not only helps to leave a legacy for generations to come, it will protect your loved ones and help provide them with financial security once you’re gone.
* Consult an expert in order to find the right life insurance for you. For example, BoomerLife by SBLI USA lets you apply for up to $25,000 of whole life insurance with no hassle. Acceptance is guaranteed for anyone ages 50 to 75. Selected benefits remain fixed for life and the premium you pay will not go up. Additionally, the policy builds cash value that grows each year tax-deferred. Call (866) 331-3078 to speak with an SBLI USA representative. Or go to our Web site at www.sbliusa.com and complete the entire application process - from quoting, to paying - online today!
Start planning your retirement today. With a little strategy and the right attitude, you can build the financial security you need to live a successful, happy retirement. Visit www.sbliusa.com today - completing your application is just clicks away!
Don’t grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much
you love the beach.
Family cookbooks keep cooking memories alive
(ARA) - When Kathy Paul heard all the laughter coming from her kitchen during the Paul family reunion, she knew compiling a family cookbook was the perfect way to record such joyful moments.
“As we were preparing the dishes, my nieces were laughing and having a great time remembering stories about their childhoods at Grandma and Grandpa’s house,” says Paul, who lives with her husband, Don, on a farmstead that has been in his family for more than a century.
She wanted a tangible way to preserve for younger family members all the memories and recipes that have been so important to her family. “I was sitting at home making notes for the reunion and trying to think of a way to make it really special. I thought a cookbook would be a really great thing for every
family member to have, and, hopefully, pass on to future generations.”
First, Paul sent out letters and e-mails and called relatives, asking them to bring special recipes and memories to the reunion. Then, she started collecting family photos dating back to the mid-1800s, plus photos of the original farm house, barn and the still-blooming rose bush that has been part of the farmstead since it was transplanted from Pennsylvania by Don’s great-grandparents around 1865, when they first came to Iowa.
“I put the photos on display for the reunion and it got everyone talking about the things they remember,” says Paul. With about 50 family members in attendance at the reunion, she was also able to snap a group photo that day to include in the cookbook.
Once gathered, Paul was able to send the recipes and photos to G&R Publishing. The custom cookbook company then typed and formatted her information to create “The Paul Family Cookbook, From Pennsylvania to Illinois to Laurel, Iowa.” G&R Publishing’s expertise in creating family cookbooks, as well as cookbooks for fundraisers, churches and schools, made theproject simple to complete and gave it the professional touch that Paul was looking for. She explains, “My son-in-law created our custom cover and the people at G;R brought it all together, adding the special touches I wanted.”
From start to finish, cookbooks can be in your hands in less than eight weeks. After Paul received her shipment of cookbooks, she could hardly wait to distribute them to her family. “I use my mother’s recipes and Don’s mother’s recipes all the time. I like to think that future generations can go back to this cookbook and remember the recipes their mother and grandmother used to make.”
Whether it’s a family cookbook or one for a local church, custom cookbooks make a great keepsake with recipes that can be shared and enjoyed by many. For more information, call (800) 383-1679 or visit www.GandRPublishing.com.
Click To Listen While You Browse!
South Carolina’s Internet
Powered By
(843)720-9604 [email protected]
I have heard the mermaids singing,
each to each.
HOW ICE ON YOUR CELL PHONE CAN HELP SAVE YOUR LIFE
- AND POSSIBLY SOMEONE ELSE’S
(ARA) - When a debilitating crisis occurs like an accident or illness, emergency teams who respond to the scene will want to have as much information as possible about your health - and who to contact to make decisions on your behalf.
If you have your cell phone with you, and can’t communicate with responders, emergency personnel will look in your phone for numbers and information designated with the acronym “ICE” - which stands for “In Case of Emergency.” They’ll use that information to help you and to get in touch with someone who can make urgent decisions on your behalf.
If you’re among the 50 million Americans who own an iPhone or iPod Touch, compiling emergency information is even easier and more comprehensive. Created by online legal service LegalZoom and Donate Life America, the ICE App allows emergency responders to access information about you, including your name, a photograph, birth date, height and weight, medical conditions, blood type, allergies, medications, emergency contacts and your organ donation status.
To get the free ICE App, visit the iPhone Apps Store and search for “ice-app” or visit www.ice-app.net.
Kids eat freeApplebee’sKids meals are .99 with adult purchase.Tuesday’s after 5 pm(843) 678-9406
CiCi’s PizzaChildren under 3 eat free with adult purchaseEvery Night(843) 413-0600
Fazoli’sKids eat free every weekend in August. One free kids meal per adult entree purchase.Saturday & SundayFlorence: (843) 664-3062North Myrtle Beach: (843) 249-6901Surfside: (843) 477-1801
Moe’s Southwest GrillKids under 12 with Adult purchase of entrée or 2 tacos. Same offer on Sunday if you present your church bulletin.Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 5pm-10pm(803) 743-9663
Western SizzlinChildren 4 and under eat Buffet for freeDaily(843) 665-5965
Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to
make us think things we like to think.
preparing for a domestic attacK what families can do today
(ARA) - With more arrests in suspected domestic terrorism plots and almost daily news reports of international terrorism incidents, Americans need to remain vigilant and prepared for the unknown.
But according to a recent survey conducted by Kelton Research, almost two in three Americans (66 percent) admit they would not know what to do in the event of a terrorist attack in their hometown.
Homeland security professionals charged with protecting the homefront are even less convinced of the average citizen’s preparedness. More than nine in 10 professionals (94 percent) surveyed feel that Americans wouldn’t know what to do in the event of an attack, even though a majority (75 percent) believes the U.S. will experience one similar to Sept. 11, 2001, in the next five years.
The surveys were commissioned by the National Homeland Defense Foundation and Colorado Technical University, which offers master’s and doctoral degrees with a concentration in homeland security.
“The fact that homeland security professionals expect another terrorist attack similar to 9/11 within the next five years while at the same time believing most Americans are unprepared is a dangerous combination,” says Capt. W. Andy Cain, USN (Ret.), a Homeland Security Advisory Board member at Colorado Technical University.
“The good news is there are things we can all do to be prepared and take responsibility for the safety and security of ourselves and our families. Seconds count in an emergency, so preparation can make all the difference in the world,” he says.
While law enforcement and government officials are on the front lines of responding to terrorist threats, here are five steps that all Americans can take to feel more secure and prepared.
Create a family emergency planKnow who to call and what to do in case of an emergency such as a terrorist attack. Make a plan that includes each family member’s contact information, as well as an out-of-town contact who may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members and may live far enough away not to be directly impacted by the same event. Online tools, like a family emergency kit featuring easy-to-use forms, are available for download at Ready.gov.
Determine a meeting placeFamily members may be in different locations when a terrorist attack strikes. Establish an agreed-upon location for everyone to meet to help save time and reduce stress.
Get an emergency supply kitTo prepare for a possible emergency situation, in-cluding a terrorist attack, it’s important to focus
on survival basics - fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. Put together an emergency supply kit that includes items like bottled water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, dust masks and blankets. Other essentials could include a flashlight with extra batteries, cell phone with chargers and a battery-powered radio to stay abreast of the news. FEMA.gov, among other Web sites, offers a disaster kit checklist.
Have a communication back-up planSome terrorist attacks may cause communication network interruptions, preventing a person from getting through to family, friends or emergency personnel. If phone lines are down, have e-mail addresses available. In addition, text messaging may still work despite phone service disruptions. The American Red Cross also has a “Safe and Well” Web site available through RedCross.org, where families can register to let others know about their welfare.
Sign up for alert servicesMany communities have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails about emergencies and
related action steps. Sign up by visiting the local office of emergency management Web site.
Ready.gov features more information to empower and educate Americans
on what they can do today to be prepared should a
terrorist attack or disaster strike.
www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc Online Magazine | 2009 46
The Sea, once it casts
its spell, holds one in its net
of wonder forever.
how to add touches of
Glamorous Green
to your home decor
(ARA) - Going glam and being green don’t need to be mutually exclusive, especially when it comes to decorating your home. Makers of furniture and home decor items have started incorporating environmentally friendly practices and materials into their products, allowing consumers to have greener households without compromising their personal style.
It’s possible to incorporate greener choices in almost all home decor projects. Because so many companies are recognizing that their customers want eco-friendly products, it’s possible to find green products at all price ranges. Even the highest-end design firms now source items like couches made from sustainable wood and organic fabrics - but you can also find them at retail stores, too.
Home accessories are a quick and easy place to start if you’re just looking to add some small revitalizing touches to your rooms. Pillows made from antique linen grain sacks that were once common in Europe add rustic-chic texture without being uncomfortable. To add a pop of color to your couch, drape it with a throw made from a natural material and eco-friendly dyes. To add a touch of social consciousness, choose from a multitude of throws made by indigenous communities in developing countries, like luxurious alpaca blankets from Peru or mohair from Swaziland.
Decorative bowls made from reclaimed wood add a touch of natural beauty, as do driftwood or Manzanita branches. Be cautious about adding some natural touches, though - coral, for instance, is often harvested in ways that are unsustainable and threatening to natural environments.
Don’t count out wall decor as a way to express your eco savvy, either. More and more paint companies are trotting out low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints that are safer to breathe. But if you want to add extra dimension to your walls and make a bolder statement, add wall murals printed on earth-friendly canvas. Sites like MuralsYourWay.com bring beautiful nature scenes right into your home. Not only are their canvas murals made of an ecologically friendly fabric material, there are over 5,000 options to choose from. You can choose everything from a jungle scene to the Mona Lisa or you can print a photo of your own on their fabric wallpaper.
Greening your furniture can be done in multiple ways. If you’re ready to buy new pieces, consult an interior designer, who can weed out items that don’t match your standards. But you can re-use and recycle when it comes to furniture, too - just make sure you revitalize first. Consider re-upholstering items like dining chairs with exotic fabrics that are hand-made or antique. Suzanis,
brightly-colored Central Asian textiles in graphic patterns make a great statement fabric, as do boldly embroidered Otomi textiles from Mexico. Ask a designer to help seek them out, or check out exotic import shops - sometimes you can find large examples of these textiles that can be repurposed on your furniture.
You can also add new life to pieces already in your home by painting them in one, or a coordinated couple, of the year’s color trends. For 2010, turquoise promises to be big, as do coral, cobalt blue and eucalyptus green - all colors inspired by natural materials.
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less
because of that missing drop.
Time To reFinance or Buy !?Right now, mortgage rates are at their lowest level since 1971. Think about that. Twenty-five years ago, homeowners were paying as much as 18% on a 30-year fixed. Today it’s just a little over 5%.Combine that
rate with the tax advantages of a mortgage, and you have an incredibly cheap way to build wealth, but you better act now.
Real estate guru Barbara Corcoran has already seen a tremendous surge in refinance applications – more than triple the average – and the number of people getting approved is astronomically higher as well, she says. But that doesn’t mean the low rates are a panacea for the ills of the housing market. It is only once home prices start to go up that we will finally see a light at the end of tunnel, Corcoran says. Until that happens, we are still going to have to crawl out of this mess. “[Low interest rates are] a not a lifesaver,” Corcoran says. “This is just a helping hand.”
David Kittle, chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association, has this advice to homeowners looking to refinance: Do it. Don’t get greedy searching for another quarter-point. Lock in rates now. He is seeing applications soar over 125% just since Thanksgiving due to the low rates.
Of course, you should only refinance if it saves you at least 3/8 on the rate and if you plan on staying in your home for at least four years, Kittle says. Along with good credit, proof of income and money by means of a down payment or equity in the home, there are certain things every homeowner needs regardless of interest rate levels.
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www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc Online Magazine | 2009 55
charLesTon’s oFFice oF cuLTuraL aFFairsLaunches WWW.charLesTonarTs.sc, as Thier neW arTs WeB siTeFrom: Charleston Currents
The City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs has launched http://www.CharlestonArts.sc, a companion Web site to the OCA’s primary page at the city’s official site. CharlestonArts.sc will be updated daily with information and features, including an arts calendar that users can search by date, artist, presenting group or venue; social networking widgets; and a directory of local arts and cultural organizations and venues.
“We are hopeful that CharlestonArts.sc will be a major benefit to local artists and arts organizations by disseminating information about their events with the most up-to-date information to a broader public,” said Ellen Dressler Moryl, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs.
Other options for users at CharlestonArts.sc include the following:
• Arts organizations can download forms from the Office of Cultural Affairs, submit events, update contact information and compare performance dates with other area organizations.
• The Tools for Professional section of the Web site features job listings for arts professionals, including full time and part time work as well as internships and volunteer opportunities with arts and cultural organizations in the tri-county area.
• Updated grant opportunities for arts organizations, with detailed information, including deadlines, application and contact information.
• Call for Submissions and Call for Auditions pages with details about the location, deadlines, fees and additional requirements.
The new Web site also hosts connecting pages for general information on the Office of Cultural Affairs and its projects: the Charleston Farmers Market, the City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Holiday Magic, Happy New Year Charleston!, the Holiday Parade of Boats, the Lowcountry Quarterly Arts Grant Program, Piccolo Spo-leto and the MOJA Arts Festival.
The Web Site was developed and is being hosted by Carolina Media Services ( www.ONLY.sc) .
In every outthrust headland, in every
curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth
don’t let aches & pains
slow you down (ARA) - We all know the feeling that comes with the
first great day of spring. When the sun is shining, the air smells sweet and fresh and the temperatures are warm, we all feel the urge to get outside and throw off
the confinement of the winter months. Whether you’re an avid athlete, a dedicated gardener or some-one who’s been meaning to get started on an exercise program, the arrival of spring is one sure way to get you moving.
No one is immune from the desire to get outdoors and do something active while enjoying the weather - and that includes people with chronic pain issues. Whether you’re dealing with arthritis or trying to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, the threat of pain is one of the most challenging obstacles to overcome for those who want to live an active lifestyle, because no one wants to take the risk of aggravating their health problems.
But even if you’re living with pain, it’s essential to heed the call of the outdoors this spring and be
active. There are plenty of ways to mitigate pain issues and avoid further injury. The important thing
is to consult your doctor and to work out a plan together that will let you get the exercise you want and need without worsening your pain. And, in fact,
exercising can be an important part of overcoming some of those issues - as long as it’s done in
the right way.
There are a lot of activities that we all love to do that require a lot of repetitive motion. Tennis is a popular sport for all ages, and a game that can be played over a lifetime, but for people suffering from joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the repeated swinging motions required for a good volley can drive them off the court.
Similarly, gardeners eager to get their hands in the dirt can be limited by pain that crops up with the repetitious motion involved in tilling, preparing beds, digging and planting. For people suffering from CTS, whether they are gardeners, tennis players or otherwise, supportive gloves can provide the relief they need. One example, IMAK’s SmartGlove, features a comfortably flexible support splint that keeps hands in a good position without being stiff, and helps to relieve or prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s ideal for active lifestyles because it is breathable and washable, and it’s an effective non-surgical treatment of car-pal tunnel syndrome.
According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise is an important part of dealing with back pain. Not only does it strengthen the muscles and joints, but it can stretch contracted muscles, improve posture and even help protect against injury by improving your overall fitness.
Another health problem that exercise can positively affect is arthritis. When you go outside and start being active this spring, you can help your arthritis with activities like tai chi, strengthening exercises and cardio exercise that get your heart working. It’s recommended that you protect your joints by warming them up prior to exercise, and by being gentle on your body - starting out too hard and fast can cause problems. Support products like IMAK’s SmartGlove can also help you stay in good alignment as you work out.
Don’t resist the urge to soak in the sunshine because of pain and discomfort this spring. Not only is getting outside easier than ever with supportive therapies, but it’s an essential part of living a healthier, pain-free life.
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The beach is in our blood.
Everyone in our family
returns to the beach
instinctively, just like the sea
turtles.
Top 5
Spring Allergy Mistakes to avoid this season
(ARA) - Do you sneeze and wheeze all spring long? If so, you may be making common mistakes that keep you from preventing spring allergies. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) alerts allergy sufferers to avoid these five common mistakes:
1. TreaTing sympToms wiThouT knowing whaT you’re allergic To.
You may think you know what’s causing your spring allergy symptoms, but more than two-thirds of spring allergy sufferers actually have year-round allergies. An allergist, a doctor who is an expert in treating allergies and asthma, can perform tests to pinpoint the cause of your suffering and then find the right treatment to stop it.
2. Spending blindly on over-the-counter medications.
There are tons of allergy medications available at the store, some of which can be very effective. But if you’re buying new products all the time, spend-ing a bundle and not feeling better, consult with an allergist who can discuss which options might be
best for you. Your allergist may suggest nasal spray or
allergy shots, also called immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy can actually cure your allergies and keep you out of the drug store aisles for good.
3. Waiting too long to take allergy meds.
Don’t wait until symptoms kick in and you’re already feeling bad to take allergy medication. Instead, prepare by taking medication that has worked for you in the past just before the allergy season starts. Pay attention to the weather: When winter weather turns warm, pollens and molds are released into the air. Start treatment prior to the warm up.
4. Not steering clear of your allergy triggers.
Finding the right treatment is important, but it’s also critical to start avoiding what you are allergic to. For example, if you have a pollen allergy, make sure you keep your windows shut, take a shower when you come inside and stay indoors during mid-day when pollen counts are highest. All of these things can make a big difference in how you feel.
5. Eating produce and other foods that might aggravate sniffles and sneezing.
If your mouth, lips and throat get itchy and you sniffle and sneeze after eating certain raw or fresh fruits or other foods, you may have “oral allergy syndrome.” The condition, which affects about one third of seasonal allergy sufferers, occurs in people who are already allergic to pollen. Their immune system sees a similarity between the proteins of pollen and those of the food, and triggers a reaction. If you are allergic to tree pollen, for example, foods like apples, cherries, pears, apricots, kiwis, oranges, plums, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts may bother you. Cooking or peeling the food may help, but you should talk to an allergist.
Spring break for grownups
(ARA) - Remember when your spring break was a hedonistic ritual that focused on excesses of sun, wild parties and alcohol? Now that you’ve outgrown that, you don’t have to give up the spring ritual of getting away from it all. Whether you are able to travel to a warm, sunny location for a vacation, or simply need a stay-at-home break to escape from work, school or daily stress, there’s a physically and mentally healthy alternative. Some indulgent applications of aromatherapy provide a natural way to transport yourself healthfully and affordably to a well-earned place of springtime renewal.
According to Tom Havran, aromatherapy formulator at Aura Cacia, essential oils are the key elements that not only transport the senses, but act physically on the body’s systems to enhance well-being. “Always make sure that aromatherapy products contain 100-percent pure and natural essential oils, which are distilled from plants,” Havran advises. “The cheaper, synthetic fragrance chemicals in many so-called ‘aromatherapy’ productsdo not have the same effect on the body and mind that real essential oils provide.”
Which essential oils are best for crafting your personal spring break getaway? The cheerful, fresh aromas of citrus oils, such as lemon, lime, sweet orange, tangerine, grapefruit, bergamot orange and mandarin orange, evoke sunshine and warm southern breezes. Two precious flower oils also associated with sunny subtropical climates are jasmine and neroli (orange blossom) essences. Jasmine is exotic and sensual while neroli has the power to ease anxiety.
Whether you are traveling to a sunny beach for your spring break vacation or just trying to create a little sunshine during a stay-at-home version, essential oils and aromatherapy will help you make the most of your escape. Here are some fun and easy spring break skin care aromatherapy treatments you can easily make at home for either an at-home escape or to take along on your spring trip to the
beach. For more aromatherapy recipes, ideas and products, check out www.auracacia.com.
FloaT-on-The-ocean aromaTherapy BaTh This recipe is great for reproducing the therapeutic effect of bobbing in the waves, right in your own tub. If you are traveling to the beach, this is a wonderful treatment to nourish and soothe the skin after a day spent in sun and surf.
Ingredients:½ cup sea salt½ cup baking soda¼ cup jojoba or
grapeseed oil2-3 bags of green tea
20 drops lavender essential oil10 drops grapefruit essential oil10 drops sweet orange essential oil
Directions: In a glass or porcelain container, mix salt, baking soda, jojoba or grapeseed and essential oils, then pour in bath. Float tea bags in bath and soak away your worries.
Toes-in-the-Sand Foot Scrub Beach sand and ocean water combine naturally to smooth and renew feet and toes. This scrub replicates the effect of wet sand. Use it to get your feet looking their best before you don the flip-flops for your spring break beach debut.
Ingredients:½ cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil15 drops tangerine essential oil5 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions: In a glass or porcelain container, combine sugar, sweet almond and essential oils. Mix thoroughly and massage into feet, concentrating on toes, heels and soles. Rinse with warm water and massage feet until the oil is fully
absorbed. Tip: Do the foot scrub after a long soak in the bath to enhance exfoliation.
Coconut and Jasmine Body Butter Here’s a great after-sun body treatment to give your skin a healthy, nourishing glow. Apply just before a night on the town to look and smell your best.
Ingredients:1 cup coconut oil1 tablespoon jojoba oil35 drops mandarin orange essential oil5 drops jasmine absolute oil
Directions: In a glass or porcelain container, use a table fork to beat together all four oils until creamy in texture. Apply as a massage in gentle circular motions over entire body.
Citrus and Orange Blossom Breeze Invoke the heady aroma of an evening breeze wafting through a flowering grove of citrus trees with this delightful diffusion.
Ingredients:4 drops lemon essential oil5 drops bergamot orange essential oil1 drop neroli essential oil1/4 cup water1 aromatherapy candle lamp
Directions: Place water in candle lamp bowl, add essential oils, light candle and allow diffusion for 15 to 20 minutes.
Want to grow your business?
Join the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce!
As the unified voice of business, the South Carolina Chamber is working to grow wealth for South Carolinians and businesses in order to improve economic development and quality of life.
We help your business and you by:
• GettingyourvoiceheardbyourstatelegislatorsthroughourGrassrootsNetwork• Workingtopassbusiness-friendlylegislation• Keepingyouinformedonissuesandprovidingsolutionsforgrowingyour business through our monthly magazine, South Carolina Business • Providingnetworkingopportunitieswithlegislatorsandotherbusinessowners• Trainingyouremployeesonhumanresources,qualityandmanagementissues• Publishingalegalreferenceseries
Join the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce! Contactustodayat800-799-4601.Learnmoreatwww.scchamber.net.
Powerful advice for mothers:
Help girls accept themselves through your example(ARA) - No force exerts more power on how girls perceive their bodies and their relationship with food than the examples set by their own mothers, research and countless examples show.
Some of you are mothers; all of you had one. What did you learn about food, eating and weight from your own mother and what is your daughter learning from you? How and why do you eat the way you do and how can you prevent your daughter from repeating your mistakes?
Eating disorder treatment specialist Carolyn Costin, clinical director and founder of the Monte Nido Treatment Center, says that modern culture
may send some women and girls the message to feed and nurture others, but not themselves.
“Because of the undue emphasis placed on appearance, females come to view their bodies as instruments to be used in the pursuit of approval from others and as sources of personal pride,” Costin says. “This can, however, lead to them experiencing their bodies as a source of disapproval, failure and psychological pain.”
Food may become a medium through which females communicate many feelings. Women use food to demonstrate love and caring, to get approval, as a way of being creative, as a way of distracting from other issues, as a source of
comfort, as a means of apology, and there are many more. In her book, Your Dieting Daughter, Costin challenges women to ask themselves, “What has food come to represent in your life and in your messages to your own children?”
Costin offers some advice for helping mothers become healthy examples of self-acceptance to their daughters, and for dealing with eating disorder issues.
meSSageS that baCkfire
Mothers send messages every day that their daughters pick up on - from lessons of kindness to others, to the tendency to judge one’s self-worth based on physical appearance. Be aware of messages that can backfire, even when you have the best intentions:
Compliments - You may do or say things that send the wrong message to your daughter. The focus on appearance, even when giving a compliment, can backfire in many ways. For example, to compliment someone on her weight loss may be construed to mean that she was not attractive before. Excessive praise for appearance can reinforce the notion that external qualities are more important than internal ones, regardless of the cost it takes to maintain it.
Food as reward and punishment - No matter how many experts have warned against it, parents - especially mothers - often use food as a reward and punishment. Children learn that certain foods belong in special categories, like “good” and “bad.” This kind of thinking sets the stage for someone to restrict, sneak eat, rebel by eating, comfort themselves with, or overly indulge in, the forbidden “bad foods.” Costin teaches her eating disorder clients at Monte Nido something that is important for everyone to understand: “There are no bad foods; there are only bad eating habits.”
comfort, as a means of apology, and there are many more. In her book, Your Dieting Daughter, Costin challenges women to ask themselves, “What has food come to represent in your life and in your messages to your own children?”
Costin offers some advice for helping mothers become healthy examples of self-acceptance to their daughters, and for dealing with eating disorder issues.
meSSageS that baCkfire
Mothers send messages every day that their daughters pick up on - from lessons of kindness to others, to the tendency to judge one’s self-worth based on physical appearance. Be aware of messages that can backfire, even when you have the best intentions:
Compliments - You may do or say things that send the wrong message to your daughter. The focus on appearance, even when giving a compliment, can backfire in many ways. For example, to compliment someone on her weight loss may be construed to mean that she was not attractive before. Excessive praise for appearance can reinforce the notion that external qualities are more important than internal ones, regardless of the cost it takes to maintain it.
Food as reward and punishment - No matter how many experts have warned against it, parents - especially mothers - often use food as a reward and punishment. Children learn that certain foods belong in special categories, like “good” and “bad.” This kind of thinking sets the stage for someone to restrict, sneak eat, rebel by eating, comfort themselves with, or overly indulge in, the forbidden “bad foods.” Costin teaches her eating disorder clients at Monte Nido something that is important for everyone to understand: “There are no bad foods; there are only bad eating habits.”
Food as love - People learn a variety of ways to associate food with being nurtured, cared for and loved. Food, early on in the mother-daughter relationship, is connected to love - getting one means having the other. A girl may use food as love if she feels, consciously or unconsciously, that she is not getting love somewhere else. Where emptiness exists in any way, food can mask it and be a substitute filler, at least temporarily. Swallowing feelings/stuffing anger - People stuff down or swallow their feelings with food. People who use food in this way describe it as having a numbing effect on them, Costin says.Starving is also a way of avoiding feelings or demonstrating in some way that, “I don’t have any feelings or needs.” To heal people from using food in this way clinics like Monte Nido teach their clients that all feelings are acceptable; it is their behaviors they need to learn to monitor and control.
Mothers who want to set a good example for their daughters, should consider this, Costin says: “Is what you are doing to yourself what you would also do to your own daughter? If you don’t want her to skip meals in order to fit in a dress, or binge because she’s having a bad day, then you shouldn’t do it either.” To learn more about eating disorders and treatment, visit www.MonteNido.com.
Feb. 21 through 27 is National Eating Disorder Week. Watch for events in your community to observe these important dates.
fin
al
wo
rD
s I dropped a tear in the ocean, and whenever they find it
I’ll stop loving you, only then.
Anonymous
www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc Online Magazine | 2009 77
www.NorthMyrtleBeach.sc Online Magazine | 2009 78
