FuninMB.com Blog - Myrtle Beach, SC information

Myrtle Beach runs radio ads discouraging bikers from coming

2009-05-20T20:50:32Z

Myrtle Beach has been running radio ads in metropolitan areas outside of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and North Carolina. This ad clearly states that bikers are not welcome here even though they say towards the end of the radio ad that Myrtle Beach isn't anti-biker. This ad is clearly discouraging anyone on a motorcycle to not come to Myrtle Beach during the month of May, stating that the new laws were put in place because of the rallies. No matter how you look at it the city is discriminating against you if you ride a motorcycle, because if it wasn't for the rallies these laws wouldn't have been put in place in the first place. Listen to the radio ad yourself and make your own judgement.

Radio Ad discouraging bikers from coming to Myrtle Beach

MyrtleBeachBikeWeekFun.com - Homepage

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2 separate accidents lead to two biker deaths

2009-05-16T14:39:51Z

Two separate accidents on 544 late Friday night around 10pm and 10:20pm claimed the life to two bikers. These accidents are the first biker fatalities during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. We were on scene at the 544 accident which happened directly across from the Boardwalk shopping plaza on 544, 1.5miles up from Bypass 17. Four vehicles were involved in the accident across from the Boardwalk plaza, two motorcycles, a truck, and a compact car. Unconfirmed reports are that the Mitsubishi Eclipse veered into northbound traffic and hit one motorcycle, then the other motorcycle hit that one, upon that the Mitsubishi continued on causing an accident with a Ford F150 truck. Details of the accident are still being investigated. As always ride safe, helmets do save lives. And those in cars, please use a turn signal and give plenty of warning and look in mirrors and your blind spot.

to MyrtleBeachBikeWeekFun.com
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Myrtle Beach fire in Horry County South Carolina

2009-04-23T17:55:09Z

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Listen live radio scanner of Horry County Rescue fighting the fire
http://justin.tv/funinmbdotcom

Update: 4:45pm
Current evacuation is underway for Strawberry Rd. and highway 90 at 4:45pm.

What started out as a small brush fire in the Conway area early Wednesday afternoon has turned out to be a declared state of emergency UPCON 2 from South Carolina governor Sanford. High winds yesterday afternoon helped this fire spread quickly through Horry County down to highway 31 where it jumped 6 lanes over to Grand Dunes. Upwards of 15,000 acres have been damaged along with about 96 homes in Horry County.

Currently the fire is still burning around the North Myrtle Beach area around Barefoot. 70-80 % of of North Myrtle Beach is contained. There are around 500 vouchers being made available for temporary housing for those who live in the Barefoot area.

There are 8 different fire departments from the Grand Strand area are currently helping with fighting this large fire. The SC Army National guard has been called in and dropping water on some hot spots.

Rooms and shelters available for residents who were evacuated or lost their homes due to this fire.
House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach is open as a shelter
Barefoot church
North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness center
50 Rooms at Camelot
50 Rooms at Ocean Park - allows pets
100 Baywatch resort
100 rooms at Patricia Grand
100 rooms at Anderson Ocean Club
70 rooms at Best Western Carolinian

Hard Rock Park is now called Freestyle Music Park

2009-04-10T01:48:51Z

Well today it was announced by FPI MB Entertainment that Hard Rock Park is now called Freestyle Music Park. It comes shortly after FPI purchased the park for only $25 million, a small cost considering the park cost $450 million to build. There have been many people who don't like the name and those who like the name.

A poll running on the Sun News regarding the name change indicates that readers are not to thrilled about the new name.

Do you like Freestyle Music Park as the new name for the theme park?

Do you like Freestyle Music Park as the new name for the theme park? Yes 231

20%

No 909

80%

Total Votes: 1140

What about you, do you like it? What would you name it it you could?

They do have a website up now but there is just a main page with a press release.
visit http://freestylemusicpark.com

"Freestyle Music Park" is the destination for the celebration of that revolutionary phenomenon rock n' roll but also encompasses other genres of music including country, reggae, beach music, pop, R&B, alternative, Christian, and disco. At Freestyle Music Park, you can indulge your inner "rock star" while enjoying the park's many and excellent rides, shows and other attractions.

In the weeks ahead, FPI will be announcing several changes to its Freestyle Music Park. Many of the rides, restaurants and areas throughout the Park are being re-themed to better fit into the vision of Freestyle Music Park. Castings are also underway for talent to star in Freestyle Music Park's musical and live stage show acts, which are currently in development and will be announced at a later date.

The park must now shed everything Hard Rock Park inside. The rides, the restaurants, and shops will all be re-themed and a new skin will be put on with the new theme of Freestyle Music Park.

They also plan to have bands and musicians play at the park but so far there are none scheduled to play. Hopefully the new park owners will take this seriously as this is something people were pretty upset with last year, the lack of live shows, after all that is why a lot of people (locals) bought season passes.

The price for admission was also announced, $39.95 ages 9 and up, $29.95 ages 3-9, and children 2 and under are free. Last year the tickets for admission were $50 a piece.

It will be interesting to see how things shape up for this park in the coming months and remainder of the year. The price for admission I believe should be less, those who have been to the park this past year I think may think twice about coming to a park in which there won't be any major changes to in the first year besides the name change and re-themed park. It may however be just enough of a drop-off in price to tempt those who may not have payed $50. There will be a locals discount but it has not been announced as of yet where these will be available at.

Overall I believe this is a great change for formerly defunct Hard Rock Park brand. After all it really isn't the name that will bring people to the park, it is the atmosphere once you are inside, and if FPI can change it around enough, add more larger rides, and really market themselves right, then there is no reason why the park can't be successful for many years to come.

Myrtle Beach Bike Week - Freedom Ride a success

2009-03-01T02:46:21Z

We attended the Myrtle Beach Bike Week Freedom Ride today. Many rode in protest of the new laws mainly the new helmet law. We had many people waving and cheering us on starting at the Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson dealership and Wimpys all along Ocean Boulevard through Myrtle Beach.

If you want to see pictures and videos of this event and more bike week information goto our new website below.

Bikers who received tickets will be represented by Matt Danielson at Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group.

The following I have taken from our new website MyrtleBeachBikeWeekFun.com

First off I would like to thank everyone who attended this event to make it a success. In spite of the rain which started off with drizzle, today's Freedom Ride was a great time. This ride started off at the Beaver Bar in Murrells Inlet and continued through Myrtle Beach along Ocean Boulevard and back.

A total of 49 tickets were given out, the majority of them being for the helmet infraction. Some wore helmets, but the majority didn't. The Police Department of Myrtle Beach said they had better things to do than to plant officers along the route because this time of the year is when officers go on vacation and this time is used for officer training, HA, what a joke.

Read this from the Sun News, MyrtleBeachOnline.com City Manager of Myrtle Beach, Tom Leath said "We"ll have our normal patrols on - maybe even less, because we try to schedule vacations and training during the winter," We're just going to enforce the law like we will every day." I guess someone didn't get the memo from Tom Leath huh?

The training he mentioned was to practice writing the new codes for the laws onto citations, so they wouldn't have a problem doing it come the Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally. The city wasn't fooling anyone when they said this. I guess they knew they would be giving some overtime pay this week on about 20 officers paychecks.

I myself counted around 10 cop cars along the route with someone stopped, 2 cops per car. I was one of the last people getting onto the Ocean Boulevard, sure enough a cop gets behind me (can see in one of videos), probably running my tag, he didn't pull me over, kinda a shocker, but he turned on his lights and headed up 29th ave S, probably to a call other than the Freedom Ride. I think the whole Myrtle Beach police force was on Ocean Boulevard, way to go MBPD way to protect our city!

I will be posting pictures and video here of Myrtle Beach Freedom Ride 2009 once I get them edited and uploaded to the server.

My camera got ruined during this ride (knew it probably would, but was worth it), some of the pictures and which I took are lost. I apologize to those who's picture I took and it won't be on this site. If you have pictures and videos I would love to see them, I can post them here with your name, where you are from, if you got a ticket or not, etc. Just email them to me with whatever information you would like posted along with it, keep it in a small paragraph though if you would.

Keep this page bookmarked and check back with us. Sign up to the newsletter to get an email when the pictures and videos are online. Hopefully they will be up by Sunday or Monday.

Thank-you. Steve

Myrtle Beach Freedom Ride - Calling all Bikers

2009-02-20T14:50:35Z

What | Myrtle Beach Helmet Freedom Ride
When | Meet at 11 a.m. Saturday
Where | Starts at The Beaver Bar, 3381 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Maps of the ride's route will be handed out before the ride starts at noon.
Rain date | March 7, same time and place

Calling all bikers from near and far, get your helmets, change your pipes to stock and get on this ride, well that's if you don't want to increase the chance of getting a citation. This Saturday in Myrtle Beach new laws for bikers go into affect. Two of which are being highly protested being the helmet law, and noise law (89dec). The helmet law is being passed over a State Law that only requires those of 21 and under to abide by. The noise ordinance is so low that if you were mowing your lawn you literally could get a ticket for the noise.

There will probably be close to 500 bikers. All bikes welcome, all races, male and female, come ride support Myrtle Beach Bike Week and Atlantic Beach Bike Week show Myrtle Beach you don't care they passed the laws, Bike Weeks will still go on with or without the city of Myrtle Beach.

Well if you want to get on this ride show up with your ride however you want. This ride is not being sponsored by anyone and is being led by no one, it is simply a gathering of riders, FREEDOM BABY!

Things to note:
It is your responsibility to have current registration, insurance, and that your motorcycle complies with the laws. If you choose to ride with no helmet, loud exhaust, without insurance, registration etc, It is your fault and no others if you get a ticket.

This ride is not being formed for a rebellious purpose, it is simply a group of bikers joining together for a ride through the city, to enjoy each others company, and to feel free. After all isn't that what riding a bike is for FREEDOM?

See you there.
Steve

Glenn's Bay Road and US 17 Bypass Interchange - public meeting

2009-02-19T22:53:56Z

Today at 5pm South Carolina Department of Transportation held a public meeting at the Horry County Government Complex. This meeting was time for the general public to view proposed widening of Glenn's Bay Road and the intersection of Glenn's Bay Road and US 17 Bypass. SCDOT representatives were on hand to answer questions and concerns from residents and area business owners.

I asked Brian Dix of SCDOT if people were fairly receptive about the changes , or have there been a lot of complaints and concerns, he said, "I think people like the changes, there have been few negative ones, but overall we have gotten a warm response, to the plan". The Glenn's Bay area widening is a small project compared to the 707/US 17 Bypass interchange project.

Tom Herron, a resident of The Lakes in Surfside and also a business owner travels through the Bypass 17 and Glenn's Bay intersection multiple times each day. He says, "up until recently it's been bearable and this is not coming anytime to soon, because the traffic load that is coming through there at 65 mph is unbelievable." There is one entrance and exit to his community which is right off of Bypass 17, "coming out and trying to take a left, it can take you a long time, and it is dangerous, there are about 3 or 4 accidents there a month", he said.

Glenn's Bay road a total distance of 1.6 miles long will include a center two-way left turn lane, curb & gutters along with a sidewalk on both sides of the road. The stoplight on the Bypass will stay where it is. This traffic light will direct people onto the Bypass from Holmestown and Glenn's Bay roads.

If you are traveling north of south on Bypass 17 you will no longer have to stop at a stoplight, you will now travel an overpass at the intersection at Glenn's Bay Road and Holmestown Road.

Construction for this project is planned to start in 2011 and be completed within 3 yrs.

We will be adding more information, a few pictures and video from this public meeting within the next couple days, stay tuned. Feel free to leave us your comments and ask any questions if you have them.

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Glenn's Bay Road and US 17 Bypass interchange project SCDOT public hearing

2009-02-19T18:17:26Z

Today we will be attending the public hearing which the SCDOT is going to be having in regards to the Glenn's Bay widening and Glenn's Bay Road/US 17 Bypass interchange project. We will be taking pictures and videos and asking some questions regarding this project so stay tuned as we gather more information for you. Please feel free to leave your comments and questions. This will be starting at 5pm today February 19th, 2009.

On February 5th, 2009 we had a chance to attend the public hearing for the 707/US 17 Bypass back gate interchange project. We have taken video and pictures which we will be uploading soon, along with sharing our insight on that hearing as well as the one for Glenn's Bay/US 17 Bypass interchange project.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and Horry County have scheduled a public information meeting Thursday, February 19 concerning the proposed Glenn's Bay Road widening from US 17 Bypass to US 17 Business and Glenn's Bay Road/ US 17 Bypass interchange project.

The meeting will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the South Strand Government Complex located at 9630 Scipio Lane in Myrtle Beach. The meeting will have a drop-in format with displays for viewing. Citizens will have the opportunity to provide written comments, however a formal presentation will not be given during this time.

An official Public Hearing may be held in the future. At that time, a formal presentation will be given, and citizens will have the opportunity to make formal, verbal comments immediately following.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide information regarding the Glenn's Bay Road widening and Glenn's Bay Road/ US 17 Bypass interchange project. Representatives from SCDOT will be available to answer questions. The project team also desires input from local citizens with knowledge of historic, cultural, and natural resources in the immediate vicinity of the project

Hard Rock Park under new ownership FPI

2009-02-17T23:13:25Z

Are you planning on visiting the Hard Rock Park this summer 2009?

Yes it is official FPI MB Entertainment LLC have become the new owners of Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach (a rock-and-roll theme park), the sale was finalized in court in Wilmington, DE today February 17th, 2009.

The price tag was $25million dollars, a fraction of $400 million dollars which it cost to build Hard Rock Park, which opened in May of 2008, only to be closed down and go up for auction in November 2008.

Will the new owners keep the Hard Rock Park name? Well FPI wants to keep the Hard Rock Park name. Hard Rock International and FPI are in talks to see if they can keep the name. If they can't they will need to destroy all things Hard Rock before they open for business. FPI plans to open the park by Memorial Day weekend, three (3) months from now, just in time for summer.

Time line for Hard Rock Parks demise:

It was in August 2008 they started laying people off
In Sept 08 they filed for chap 11 bankruptcy
In Oct 08 Hard Rock park closed their doors
In Nov 08 Hard Rock park went up on the auction block

Here is what we think needs to happen with the park, this is strictly my humble opinion.

1. The Hard Rock Park name needs to stay, why you ask? The reason is simple, its one of a kind park, there simply isn't anything like it. Hard Rock Park was meant to be an entertainment complex for men, women, children, old and young, a place where all could enjoy an afternoon like they haven't engaged in ever before. The Hard Rock Park name just sticks, if you name the park Myrtle Beach Great Adventure it just doesn't have flair to it.The Hard Rock Park is the only one in

2. Make the entry free and charge for a wristband, something around $25-$35 dollars would be acceptable price with free parking. Also should be able to get into the park free, but without a wristband you couldn't ride the rides, you couldn't watch the shows, the only thing you could do is observe from wherever you stand. Doing so would serve two purposes, it would bring more people in who don't want to ride the rides, see the shows, but want to bring their kids, they could still do so without having to spend admission. These same people would spend money at the restaurants and concession stands, money at the bar, would be buying a t-shirt, or other merchandise for the ones that are riding the rides. See you still get their $50 and these people are ecstatic now because you just saved them money and they were still able to please the kids or other family members. You want your daughter or son saying "thanks Mom and Dad" I really wanted to go and I am glad you brought me. Wouldn't it be a shame if you had to tell your son or daughter, "we can't go to Hard Rock Park" we just can't afford it this year, no kid needs that news.

3. They desperately need to add more rides. They only rides worth riding are the Led Zeppelin and the Eagles roller coaster. The other rides are rides you could find at the state fair, and that simply isn't acceptable for my $50 dollars, $250 for a family of 5 not including parking, food, drinks, t-shirts, etc. One thing is for sure, if the new owners, FPI wants to be successful they have to add more rides, not just more kid rides. I keep hearing people say add more kid rides, well yes they do, but they also have to add more rides for those -- "You have to be this tall to ride this ride", rides. They can get rid themselves of a great majority of the merchandise stores inside, no one wants to buy 1,000 t-shirts while they are there. Hard Rock Park simply had to much merchandise, a theme park is about entertainment not about shopping, yes you need a few stores to buy that souvenir but do you need one everywhere you get off of a ride? Seriously, I am surprised there wasn't one in the middle of the kiddie water park they had so many. If I wanted to shop I would go to Coastal Grand Mall or Tanger Outlets.

4. Advertising, advertising, advertising...yes more advertising. This is key, without it people won't know you are here. Hard Rock Park simply didn't advertise enough, well there were probably 1,000 reasons why the bottom fell out, but lack of advertising was prob - numero uno. A $50 admission price also hurt them, people simply couldn't afford it, specially when they heard of what the park was like, their $50 a person entry fee could be spend better elsewhere around Myrtle Beach. Look at it this way, for $55 dollars you can get get a 2 day admission pass at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio - which is the worlds best amusement park, they have 17 roller coasters, the smallest one there is the size of the Eagles roller coaster at Hard Rock Park.

In May before the Grand opening I sat and listened to the CEO of Hard Rock Park talk about how they were comparing it to Disney MGM, how they had so much more. They did a great job hyping the park up, they said they could justify the price of $50 because of how unique the park was, from the rides to the shows, to the music playing on all the rides and throughout the park. MGM Disney simply is a lot better than Hard Rock Park as of this time, Hard Rock Park could be so much more but it just wasn't thought out as well as they thought.
The amusement park business is a tough business, not just in this economy, but in general, there are just so many exciting amusement parks within 5-8 hours of Myrtle Beach.

We will keep you informed of things as we get them. We can't wait to see what happens and are happy that the Hard Rock Park (maybe under a different name) is opening again. Unless there are some drastic changes going to happen I would rather see it remain closed.

Have you been to the Hard Rock Park? What are some things you would like to see from this park? Should they keep the Hard Rock Park name? Would you like to work at the park? Will you be bringing your family? How much would you pay? Sound off tells us what you think.

Overall I think this is a good deal for everyone involved. Lets see what happens, I can't wait to see what changes are made and to give our insight, and share the insight from all you with the new owners

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Dirty Donkey Pub and Dance Club in Garden City open

2009-02-17T18:33:03Z

Formerly K-Rae's Pub at 120 Atlantic Ave. in Garden City one block off the water is now Dirty Donkey Pub and Club. There is a full menu, plenty of drinks, and about 8 or 10 large screen LCD tvs, as well as a very large main tv for all the sports you would want. Get some competition and play Silver Strike, Golden Tee, and Power Putt. There is a light show to go along with the mostly Top 40 songs that play throughout the night. Check them out and let us know what you think of the place, does it live up to the name?

view location on map

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Goodbye Church's Chicken hello Ichiro's Express

2009-02-16T21:18:15Z

Ichiro's Express is now open in the former Church's Chicken off of 707/Socastee Blvd. It is a simple eatery with a selection of combo meals, a little bit of sushi, steak bowls, platters, and more. There is a drive through if you want it to go.

Check the new eatery out at:
4684 Socastee Boulevard, Myrtle Beach - call 843.293.1400
Hours of operation: daily 11am - 10pm

View location on Map

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Former Hard Rock Park up for auction again

2009-02-15T18:42:58Z

The former Hard Rock Park is in the news again, as there is scheduled to be another auction this Tuesday February 17th. There will be a sale hearing approval for a group that plans to spend only $25 million to purchase it. Another group hopes to be in the running to purchase the park, it is headed by local water park owner Mark Lazarus and Tom Jones formerly of Burroughs & Chapin. $400 million was originally invested by the former owner to build it. In order for the park to be successful it needs more than just new ownership, but that would be a good start. Major undertakings need to be to create new rides, cut down on the merchandise, a new name change, along with a smart and very aggressive marketing campaign.

FPI has seeking the court approve a down payment of $2.3 million free of liens. If they win the purchase of the park they plan to reopen in May of this year. Not sure if this is possible with all the things this park needs. It seems such a short time to make the much needed adjustments to be ready to opening in May, but there should be enough time to rid itself of the Hard Rock theme, and begin shaping its new identity.

Jones and Lazarus say if they purchase the park they would make it a free to the public and charge per ride like what the Myrtle Beach Pavilion did, we all know how many people loved the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. This would be a great move, but would it be profitable? Can this park survive doing this? Really I don't think it can, one of the reasons the Pavilion was successful was because right on the beach and you could walk to it from your hotel and you couldn't help but see the Pavilion as it was in the center of Myrtle Beach right off 501.

There should be a price to this park, but it should be a little more reasonable than the $50 admission that the Hard Rock Park charged to get in. People will not pay more than $30 dollars to get into this park, there are just to many other established theme parks in a days drive. People who come to Myrtle Beach are working folks, people whos money has grown tighter in this ecomony as most peoples has. The major thing people come here for is the beach which is free to go to.

Well one thing opening the park in May will do, is help the local economy with jobs as the opening of Hard Rock Park did back in April of 2008, with the hiring of more than 1500 people who were no sooner than getting used to their jobs only to be laid off in the fall and taking their place in the unemployment line.

As we get more information about the court hearing we will let you know. Stay tuned to our website and this blog for the details.

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Farrah Sinclair Vh1 Rock of Love local of Myrtle Beach

2009-02-09T18:58:37Z

We shall see if Farrah Sinclair will last another round on Vh1 Rock of Love Season 3. She was one of the last ones standing last Sunday. So I guess this gets interesting for her. We don't have any pictures of Farrah Sinclair but if we see her around Myrtle Beach we will try to get some pictures and get an interview.

Farrah Sinclair Official Website

Her IMBD profile:

"Rock of Love with Bret Michaels" .... Herself (5 episodes, 2009)
... aka Rock of Love (Australia)
... aka Rock of Love 2 with Bret Michaels (USA: second season title)
... aka Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels (USA: third season title)
    - Episode #3.5 (2009) TV episode .... Herself
    - Episode #3.4 (2009) TV episode .... Herself
    - Episode #3.3 (2009) TV episode .... Herself
    - Episode #3.2 (2009) TV episode .... Herself
    - Episode #3.1 (2009) TV episode .... Herself

New blog and redesign.

2009-01-09T03:30:23Z

We are currently redesigning our blog to be more user-friendly. Please check back soon as you will be able to access the blog once again thank-you.