Thursday, April 30, 2009

Swine Flu Symtoms Described

In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee, with CDC's Influenza Division, describes the symptoms of swine flu and warning signs to look for that indicate the need for urgent medical attention.



For further informational video's check out the CDC's Youtube Page.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Veggie of the Week...CARROTS

Eating carrots will improve your eyesight.....NO!

Carrots protect military secrets...YES!

Straight from the "Gee-Wiz" Catagory comes this week's Veggie...one that gives your salad zing, & helped win the war for the allies...THE CARROT!

You've heard it before, eating carrots can improve your night vision...sounds plausable... baseless, but plausable. Most never questioned it, but who came up with this tidbit of occular advice?

I'm guessing it was someone who worked for this guy...
(Hint:...that's former Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain)


OK, so like Bug's Bunny, you're asking "What's up Doc?", for that, check out the story from the myth busting website, Snopes.com


Now that you're well armed with that piece of vegetable trivia, howbout' catching some great tips on cultivating some lovely roots for your very own. Check out all the great garden tips about carrots from gardenersnet.com


And keeping with the Veggie of the Week Tradition, here's Jarred from Stone Soup Farms, who shows you how to add carrots to your garden...

Friday, April 24, 2009

Horry County SC Wildfire battle rages on...



The map at left depicts the area currently effected by wildfires that have scorched more than 19,000 acres, and have caused more than 2500 people to evacuate.

With no rain on the immediate forecast, fire officals are hesitant to speculate how soon the largest wildfire to hit the region in over 30 years may be put under control.

Myrtle Beach NBC TV Station WMBF has this report...



UPDATE: (11:00AM EST)
The Horry County Information Office has released this map showing current hotspots,(as of 2AM) The 10AM News Conference had officials stating that approx. 50% of the wildfire is contained, but with forecasts of winds increasing in the area conditions may still change for the worse.

Current damage estimates are at $8.2M; Fire 50 percent contained, but expected to strengthen and threaten Poplar community on S.C. 90.
Here's additional information from Myrtle Beach Local Newspaper, The Sun News...

Monday, April 20, 2009

Veggie of the Week...TOMATOES


Oh yes! The Rock Star of the veggie world! A favorite garden crop, tomatoes are this weeks featured veggie. Absolutely, the tomato is the number one planted crop in discerning backyard gardens everywhere. Looking through the garden center at your favorite big box store... except for ornamental shrubbery, tomato plants are the biggest cash crop to expand a Lowe's or Home Depot's profit margin. Easy to plant, cultivate, and ACCESSORIZE. Grab some wire trellis or Rapid-Grow tomato sticks while you choose between picking between Beefsteak or Bigger Boy varieties.

A member of the nightshade family of plants, tomatoes were subject to suspicion. Once called "Wolf Apples", it was once thought to be poisonous. And there's still debate in botanical circles as to whether it is a fruit or vegetable. All that aside, the tomato has become a delicious favorite at the dinner table with countless uses.

I'm featuring a geocities website... "How to grow tomatoes" since it's simple, stuffed with links, articles, and tons of tips & info.

For those who like video's, Melissa Allman tells it like it is with the best southern "Ax-sent"...

Monday, April 13, 2009

Veggie of the week... The POTATO

Today we feature a hardy & versatile friend in the garden & in the kitchen. A friend that's easy to nurture, & equally easy to harvest & prepare for the table. Presenting...The POTATO!

Once banned by the medieval church as "the devils plant", the potato has since become a worldwide celebrity, known far & wide for it's great nutritional value...just ask the Irish...that country practically lived on potato's, and almost died when a blight occurred on it's crop.


There'd be no, (or just not that many) Irish Cops in NYC if it wasn't for the potato famine.

Today, it's a tuber common in all kitchens...want to know more? Check out all the info mahalo.com has on how to cultivate a close relationship with your friend, the potato.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Composting...it's a dirty job


OK, here's the dirt...(pun intended)...on composting.

I can't help it, I just gotta put a giggle in all this. Composting ain't one of the most sexy of topics...in fact it's literally worm dirt. But I gotta tell ya, if you want to grow a garden and your dirt is pretty poor...you're only gonna grow a bunch weeds without buying bags of topsoil...Costly......or composting a pile of the err...stuff.

Composting done right will turn your household kitchen & yard waste into nutrient-rich soil. Add a little moisture, a little air, some worms, and voila!...potting soil better n' store bought. Plus, you'll never run out of live bait (worms) for fishing.

Don't take my word for it...check out what the good folks at www.enviromom.com have to say on the subject.



And if that ain't enough dirt-digging, here's a great website that can really get you knee-deep in the pile.

Art not quite in the Park


The Vereen Park Board of Directors selected artists from several mediums for the first art show at the CB Berry Community and Historical Center. Sunday May 3, 2009

Come join art lovers as they enjoy the afternoon from 2 till 5, showing Artists, Jack Cayton Oil Paintings, Vic Gillispie Acrylic Paintings, Barbara & Ed Streeter Blown Glass Sculptures and Linda Noah Oil Portraits.The CB Berry Center is located at the Vereen Memorial Gardens on the borders of North & South Carolina in Little River SC. The board takes great pride in presenting their first "Occasion for the Arts" & is looking forward to presenting many more.

SPRING TIDE ...A Time for the Inlet

The Beach is the image most visitors have of the Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach SC., but a whole different perspective exists when you travel south along the South Carolina coast. Tidal Flats, marsh grass and countless inlets make up the coastal geography of Murrells Inlet SC., and on southward to Georgetown. There is a timeless beauty to the region, which contrasts greatly to the hustle & bustle of the huge vacation mecca of Myrtle Beach to the north. Here, you can still look over vistas of unspoiled beauty.

Despite the Inlet’s oasis of natures charm, steady advancing development in the area takes it’s toll each year. If not for the efforts of local volunteers who each spring comb the coast, collecting trash and debris, the inlet’s pristine nature would all but fade away. The Murrells Inlet Spring Tide arose out of the need to clean up the area after the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Since then, the 3rd. Sunday in April has been set aside each year to groom the area and actively give back to the land.

“After Hurricane Hugo, Murrells Inlet was a mess...,” says Chip Smith, the founder of Spring Tide. “...but the community turned out in force and worked hard to bring back the beauty and ease the scars left by Hugo. The Spring Tide continued to become a great annual event that brings together the Inlet's community spirit and pride in maintaining it's natural beauty. We have fun, work a little bit, and enjoy the day."

Come on out April 26th, and answer the call of Spring. Come early and make a day of it.

WHEN: Sunday, April 26th. 8:30AM/9AM (Official Start)
WHERE: The Hot Fish Club 4911 Hwy 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 843-357-9175
EVENT INFO:Call 843-357-2007

Bring a jacket, comfortable shoes, and an appetite...after the clean-up THE BEST DAMN CLAM CHOWDER CHALLENGE is held. Free for participants, you can judge for yourself who makes the best chowder in the Inlet!
Afterward stay for the party, the music, and auction.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Vereen Garden's


If you happen to find yourself in the Carolina's, I would like to suggest a most wonderful place to visit.



Vereen Memoral Gardens, on the border of North & South Carolina in the Little River/Calabash area is the place to go.

It is a lovely spot. Numerous trails that take you over swashes, walkways to the waterway, & thousands of azeala's, (which are blooming right now), and the fresh air, the faint smell of flowers, and friendly folks with their pets, make it a most pleasant adventure.

I have only discovered this lovely garden having owned by little farm in NC for over ten years, I have decided I need to get out more in my own neighborhood. As my name Beachbumm indicates I love walking on the beach, sitting on the beach reading a book but it gets to hot to take "Kendall" (my Pek) to the beach. But this new find, Vereen Garden's, has brought such happiness to both of us. We are now regulars for the last four weeks, we even know the names of some of the other dogs that visit regularly. Life is good in the Carolina's.....

Victory Garden


I live in North Carolina and South Carolina and today it is raining in both. We have a little farm in North Carolina and this year we are planting a "Victory Garden". Our plans are to plant green peppers, red peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, peas, green pole beans. My main concern is the rabbits I always see skipping around in the yard. I am going to use a new way of keeping the rabbits away from my garden by using a plastic bag attached to stakes in the ground. The wind or breeze constantly moves the bags makes noise and the rabbits are suppose to keep away. Hope it works.
I keep remembering in grade school "April Showers brings Spring flowers", and after this unusally cold winter we are all ready for some warm weather. I love living in the Carolina's because we have four seasons, winter is a little shorter than the other season (thank goodness). Already the Bradford Pear trees are blooming, daffodolis are bursting out, dogwoods popping.Spring is my favorite time of the years. Spring makes you feel renewed.