TheSunNews.com: Coasting

Soul Lifters heat up North Myrtle Beach chuch

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:38 EDT

NORTH MYRTLE BEACHThe sanctuary was cool, but The Soul Lifters were about to heat up Macedonia AME Church.

People in the pews knew the quintet was known for setting churches on fire with song, and they were anxiously anticipating the flames.

Then, to their delight, Ricky Bessent Sr. struck the match of worship by simply opening his mouth and allowing the praise to pour out.

MB author's heroine entertains again

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:15 EDT

Jersey Barnes is out of retirement again, this time to break up a drug ring in her hometown of Wilmington, N.C., in T. Lynn Ocean's latest novel, "Southern Peril."

The book is Myrtle Beach author Ocean's fifth book and the third featuring the character who's been called the Southern version of author Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum. Ocean had a contract with St. Martin's to write the series of three.

Readers of the first two books in the series, "Southern Fatality'" (2007) and "Southern Poison" (2008), will recall that Jersey is a former Marine who was tapped for undercover work with an anti-terrorism branch of government.

Local Literary News & More

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:15 EDT

CONWAY

Wrestlers promote teen reading

Can professional wrestlers strong-arm teens into reading? The Conway Library thinks so and is inviting teens to join the SummerSlam Reading Jam competition to prove it.

Pink prances back into hearts of fashionistas

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:15 EDT

Your attention please: Dump that basic black.

The fashion world needs to get past the dark cloud of the recession and look to a brighter day when the shopping public will be excited to buy new styles and try new colors, instead of merely replacing the basics.

And that new attitude is largely being carried on the back of hot pink.

It's tougher to maintain an uncommon car

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:15 EDT

TOM & RAY MAGLIOZZI

Dear Tom and Ray: I'm tired of waiting for the American auto industry to come up with an affordable all-electric car, so I'm looking seriously into buying a Chinese-made Flybo. I know it has a top speed of 43 mph, and lacks a lot of basic safety and comfort extras (no air bags, no heat ...) but the same is true of the '87 Dodge Raider I'm driving now. I want an electric car not only because of the price of fuel, but also because of environmental issues. My question is, how easy (or difficult) will it be to service this car? I will need to have this auto shipped from Michigan to Wyoming. And I don't know of any Flybo dealerships in the U.S. What could go wrong with this car, and how can it be fixed?

Ray: Kate, you are about to join the wacko fringe. You know those guys who live in yurts, feeding themselves off their own homemade acorn granola and squirrel yogurt? Ask them about their Flybos.

Take tally of life before making leap

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:15 EDT

CAROLYN HAX

Dear Carolyn: I would love to quit my job, as would my husband ... and we'd love to start over and do what we really enjoy, changing where we live, and even how we live. Like a mini-midlife crisis.

But we have a mortgage, a beautiful baby boy, and all of the responsibilities tied to them. Some people are saying it would be "irresponsible" or "stupid" to pack up and pursue our dreams, especially if it meant financial loss (from selling our home at a lower price).

Never comment on wife's footwear

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:15 EDT

Last Saturday, my wife and I replayed a scene that's probably familiar to any couple who've ever gone out for the evening, from the beginning of time. We were getting ready to go to a neighborhood party, and I was trying to find a shirt. My wife was trying on some clothes that she'd bought that day.

I'd like to complain that my wife buys too many clothes, and often I do just that, but in reality, most of the stuff she gets is from one of those super discount stores where everything is somewhere around 80 percent off retail prices. It's usually the stuff that didn't sell at the department stores, and ends up stuffed into racks in a big warehousey-looking place.

The women's department contains all kinds of steals, as there's no end of different styles. There's weird stuff, but there are plenty of designer items at rock-bottom prices. The men's department contains mostly XXXXL T-shirts promoting sports teams from far-off locations, sneakers, often golden ones, in size 12 or above, and dress shirts that might fit guys who would only get jobs as exhibits in "Ripley's Believe or Not!" museums.

Raleigh is a value weekend

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:15 EDT

Plan well and play your cards right, and a trip to Raleigh could be the cheapest weekend on this side of the District of Columbia. What's the reason? Your tax dollars are at work, in a centrally-located state capital where North Carolina's various treasures are kept close at hand.

You have:

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, a large and pretty-new facility right downtown. "Mountains to the Sea" is a two-story walk-through with a 20-foot cascade modeled on Linville Falls. At its coast-themed conclusion, and hanging from the ceiling, are the gigantic skeletons of whales - including that of a 3-ton sperm whale.

Brown - Phipps

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:59 EDT

Amanda Renee Phipps and Matthew Herbert Brown, both of Conway, were married May 30, 2009 at the Berea Baptist Church in Galivants Ferry. The Rev. Johnny Jennerette performed the 6:30 p.m. ceremony.

The bride, daughter of Kenneth Hopkins Phipps of Loris and Lynn Bell Phipps of Galivants Ferry, is the granddaughter of Ms. Isla Calhoun and the late Margaret Phipps. She is a graduate of Aynor High School and is self-employed at Carolina Hair in Conway.

The bridegroom, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Daniel Brown of Conway, is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Brown and the late Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Holmes. He is a graduate of Conway High School and is self-employed as a farmer.

Council - Wright

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:59 EDT

Marjorie Moore Council of Lake Waccamaw and O. Richard Wright Jr. of Tabor City announce their engagement and upcoming marriage.

Margo is the daughter of Marjorie Moore Council and the late John M. Council, Jr., both of Lake Waccamaw. She is also the step-daughter of Dorothy Sutherland Rhett Council of Lake Waccamaw.

Richard is the son of the late Ottis Richard Wright and the late Olive Battle Wright of Tabor City.

Best-sellers

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:15 EDT

HARDBACK FICTION

1. KNOCKOUT, by Catherine Coulter. Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock - FBI agents as well as husband and wife - try to protect a 7-year-old with psychic powers from her exploitive criminal uncle.

2. THE BOURNE DECEPTION, by Eric Van Lustbader. Robert Ludlum's character Jason Bourne helps to avert a possible world war.

Take a chance, try these winners in new wine, ale, vodka

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:59 EDT

2006 Gordon Brothers Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington $23 | Wines from Washington tend to have more acidity than their Californian cousins and can make for perfect foods wines, especially grilled foods during summer months. The crisp flavors will not overpower the mouth to feel too heavy on the palette. This wine starts with a great nose of bing cherries and cedar, which lead into a very fruit-forward medium-bodied wine. Layers of fresh raspberries and blueberries flow into the white pepper and leather notes with each sip. The finish is supple with the red fruit notes resurfacing and the tannins being kept in check by a black tea-like acidity. This is a terrific Cabernet for the summer months that tastes like it should be priced much higher.

Flying Dog in Heat Wheat Hefe Weizen Ale, Colorado, 4.7 Alcohol $8 6-pack | This brewery has always made some terrific beers, with some wild labels. Ralph Steadman, who illustrated the book "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and is a world-class artist, does all the labels for this brewery, and each bottle brings a grin to your face. This beer starts with a dried citrus and nut aroma, which develops into an almost sweet, yeasty note as it sits. The flavors explode in the mouth - notes of honey, banana, fresh-baked wheat bread and a tingle of hops are all balanced perfectly with just the right amount of bitterness. This is a great beer with Asian food to wings. It will stand out with almost any menu you put in front of it.

Kleiner Feigling Fig Vodka, Germany, 40 proof $20 750 ml | OK, it is hard not to forget this bottle, the purple hat, black label and eyes looking at you. It may seem like a party drink, and it will liven up a party, but don't let the fun-loving bottle deceive you. It is a quality flavored vodka. The idea of a fig-flavored vodka may not sound wild at first, but mix it in the right cocktail, and this is a winner. I first tried it chilled on the rocks. The vodka was smooth and the fig notes were subtle, a nice alternative to some of the flavored vodkas that slam your taste buds.

Off the links, on the road

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:55 EDT

Lots of dealers refer to them as golf cars. Folks who buy or rent them generally call them golf carts. But however you spell it, the vehicles are fun.

Once relegated to the golf course to speed play and protect the turf, the gas or electric vehicles have crept onto Grand Strand community streets and become an integral part of the relaxed beach lifestyle.

And a declining economy and last year's soaring gasoline prices might have only made them more popular.

Gantlet of offers free with smoothie

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:56 EDT

CELIA RIVENBARK

The following is a verbatim transcript of yesterday's visit to a coffee shop with my friend Etta.

Me: "I'll have a small strawberry smoothie, please."

Consultant reads between facial lines

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:55 EDT

Just what do you see when you look into the face of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley? Or talk show host Oprah Winfrey? How about Patti Blagojevich?

Jean Haner sees more than just expressions. Trained in the ancient Chinese practice of face reading, Haner analyzes wrinkles and lines, the shapes of facial features and the placement of facial hair, for deeper understanding.

An author and speaker who promotes her work at the Web site wisdomofyourface.com, Haner travels the country giving seminars on how to read a person's face.

Here are the operating restrictions provided by the S.C. Department...

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:35 EDT

Here are the operating restrictions provided by the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles:

A golf cart can be operated only in daylight hours.

Operators must have a valid driver's license, Golf carts can be driven only on a secondary highway or street within two miles of residence. They may cross a major highway where the speed limit is 45 mph or above, but not be operated on such a traffic artery.

TRAVEL TIPS

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:35 EDT

Question | I am flying to Jamaica with my girlfriend this weekend. At the time I booked the flight, I was kind of rushed and distracted and I booked it for an evening departure. In the fullness of time, I realized that we will not be making it out of the Montego Bay airport and to our rental car before 8:30 p.m. (our flight arrives at 7:30). We then have to drive for two hours to our hotel. Anyway, long story short, I would like advice on the best way to minimize the cost of changing to an earlier departing flight on the same day. Are airlines often willing to do this at a nominal fee if there are seats available? How does one go about asking them to do this - does it matter?

-T.S., New York

Answer | Airlines usually charge for a confirmed same day flight change and they're often higher for international travel than for domestic. For example, US Airways charges $50 for flights in the US and to Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, and changes are only allowed to earlier flights, not later. But if you wish to take your chances and fly standby for the later flight, there may be no charge. You're taking a chance with standby, since the earlier flight may fill up.

BEST-SELLERS

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:35 EDT

HARDBACK FICTION

1. RELENTLESS, by Dean Koontz. A writer is pursued by a sociopathic critic.

2. THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE, by Katherine Howe. A graduate student is caught up in her research on a healer accused of witchcraft in Salem.

Friece - Johnson

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:35 EDT

Crystal Diane Johnson of Myrtle Beach and Tim Friece of Manassas, Virginia were married May 23, 2009 at Disney in Orlando, Florida.

The bride attended Myrtle Beach High School and graduated in 2001.

The bridegroom is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute with an engineering degree.

Keep gas cap on, even if you're running on fumes

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:35 EDT

TOM & RAY MAGLIOZZI

Dear Tom and Ray | When my husband and I first got married 18 years ago I noticed that when his car was low on gas, he would remove the gas cap, saying it would make the gas last longer until he could get to a station. I am a college-educated woman, and this seemed preposterous to me, but then I noticed other people doing it. My husband has since stopped doing this, because of my nagging. But is there any truth to this, or is it just some urban legend? - Tina

Ray | When the power goes out at your house, does your husband also run outside and disconnect the electric line from the pole so he can suck more electricity through the house's wires and catch the end of the ballgame?