The 23^rd annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep is scheduled for Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Each year thousands of people participate in the Sweep, South Carolina’s largest one-day litter cleanup of beaches, marshes and waterways.

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and S.C. Department of Natural Resources organize the statewide event, which is held in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Anyone can participate – individuals, families, schools, youth groups, civic and conservation clubs or businesses. All necessary supplies are provided.

Last year over 4,700 dedicated volunteers removed 24 tons of debris. In its 22-year history, 1,072 tons of litter have been collected and recycled when possible.

To volunteer, contact us! We will meet at Village Surf Shoppe on Atlantic Avenue in Garden City at 9 a.m. Sat. to distribute materials and cards (bring your own gloves), and at Withers Swash at 9 am to clean up there. Data cards can be returned to Village Surf Shoppe once you have completed your sweep.

For a list of additional coastal site captains and cleanup locations, visit Sea Grant. For a list of site captains and cleanup locations inland, visit the SC DNR.

This annual chili competition will feature categories such as Best Overall, Best Restaurant, People’s Choice, Most Original,Best Theme, Best Use of South Carolina Ingredients, and Hottest Chili.  Samples will be available for $1 each.

Entertainment includes performances by Danielle Howle, Sawgrass, Downtribe, Octopus Jones, Pur Cult, and Ten Toes Up.  There will be food, soft drinks, face painting, and inflatables for the kids, as well as displays from local environmental non-profits, businesses, and artists for the whole family.

Cash prizes go to all winners and will be awarded to all first and second place entries in each category.  In addition, there will be one Best Overall and one Best Restaurant.  This year there will also be a special competition featuring previous winners, requiring them prepare chili with one secret main ingredient.

All proceeds from the Lip-Rippin’ Chilympics Chili Cook-Off will be used for projects of the Grand Strand Surfrider Foundation, an all-volunteer, 501 c 3 non-profit serving the Grand Strand since 1998. All donations are tax-deductible.

For more information about competing or attending, contact Bruxanne Hein at (843) 333-2034, bruxanne@yahoo.com.  Admission is free and this event is open to the public.

To enter download the REGULAR COMPETITION or IRON SPOON COMPETITION form and mail to the address given.

We are currently seeking volunteers and donations, gift certificates, tickets, and other items to use as prizes for contestants, if you have questions or would like to help, contact Bruxanne Hein 843-333-2034.

The 2010 EDMF put us at 57 vendors and over 6000 attendees; 2011 is on track to be bigger than ever. This year’s event already be the biggest and best one yet; so much so, that we’ve moved the event to the former site of the Pavilion Amusement Park near the waterfront in downtown Myrtle Beach.

NOTE: Due to inclement weather, the Earth Day Music Fest has moved to The Beach House at 12th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach.

The 2010 Earth Day Music Fest & Expo lineup featured Ten Toes Up, Lyndsey Wojcik, Sideways Derby, Ras Bonghi, Sai Collins and the Getaway Drivers, Jordan Loder and Bullfrog. We plan to have these performers and more!

Surfrider needs many volunteers for this big event! If you’re interested, check out Surfrider’s Facebook page as well as the event page for the music festival.

ENTRY FORM AND THE RULES

To enter download the entry form and mail to the address on the form.

We are currently seeking volunteers and donations, gift certificates, tickets, and other items to use as prizes for contestants, if you have questions or would like to help, contact Bruxanne Hein 843-333-2034.

The Roffs understand the ecological importance and positive impact that recycling can have on the environment and are committed, personally and professionally, to educating the Grand Strand region on the importance and benefits of sustainable recycling practices. Kira was formerly the vice president of operations and events for Brookgreen Gardens and implementer of the Gardens first recycling program. Steve is no stranger to the environment either, with years of experience as a marine biologist and dedicated environmentalist.

Current customers include: Pawleys Island Tavern, Bistro 217, Creek Ratz, Dave’s Dockside, Drunken Jack’s, Burro Loco, California Dreamin’ (2 locations), Carolina Roadhouse, Litchfield Fish House, Gulf Stream Cafe, Precious Blood Catholic Church, Pet Galley, Strand Spine Institute, Myrtle Beach KOA, as well as Allston Plantation and Prince George residential neighborhoods.

For more information on Fisher Recycling, please visit: http://www.fisherrecycling.com/grand_strand/

Along with these green policies, FF also wanted to team up with our chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and proposed naming one of their entrees and one of their specialty drinks in honor of Surfrider for our work in helping to protect our oceans and beaches.  Flying Fish have offered to donate $1 for every one of these entrees and drinks sold, to our chapter of Surfrider.  They chose the “Low Country Steamer Feast” entree and the “Hang Ten” specialty drink.  The restaurant also proposed that we display information regarding the Surfrider Foundation and our mission in the lobby area of the restaurant.

Flying Fish had their soft opening weekend on April 17 and 18 and allowed Surfrider to set up an information table in the lobby.  All food was free to patrons, but they did ask them to donate $5 to our chapter on the way out the door.  Surfrider received over $1,000 from Flying Fish for the weekend event.

Surfrider is very excited about our future relationship with the Flying Fish and appreciative of their generosity.  We encourage everyone to visit them at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach.

Volunteer Cindy Goode maintaining the Surfrider booth at Flying Fish

When you apply for and receive the new Surfrider Foundation Platinum Visa Card, our issuing bank (UMB) will donate $50 to Surfrider Foundation the very first time you use it. And UMB will donate a percentage of all your future purchases on the card to Surfrider Foundation as well! All of this is done at no cost to you and no cost to Surfrider Foundation.

Featuring five different images from world-famous surf photographer Aaron Chang (www.aaronchanggallery.com) this card provides you all the benefits of a Platinum® Visa Rewards Card while putting the coolest card around in your wallet or purse. In addition, you’ll be showing your support of Surfrider Foundation’s mission each and every time you use your card.

The more of us who participate, the bigger the impact we can make. The more Surfrider Foundation credit cards that are issued and used, the more funds will to go toward protecting our oceans, waves and beaches!

All the benefits of a Platinum® Visa card will be yours, along with the satisfaction of showing your support of our mission every time you use your card.

To apply for the card please visit: http://www.cardpartner.com/app/surfrider-foundation

Our nation’s oceans, waves and beaches are vital recreational, economic and ecological treasures that will be polluted by an increase in offshore oil drilling.

We strongly support reinstatement of the federal moratorium on new offshore oil drilling.

Instead of advocating for transient and environmentally harmful ways to meet America’s oil needs, we should seek a comprehensive and environmentally sustainable energy plan that includes energy conservation.

For more information and to find out how you can help oppose offshore drilling please visit: http://oilonthebeach.blogspot.com/