MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – Elizabeth Marlowe has seen people wear the same menstrual pad for a week, use newspaper to collect blood and keep tampons in for too long because they can’t afford period products.

It’s a problem, she said, that’s only getting worse.

“Usually, if you can’t afford groceries, you can’t afford your menstrual health products,” said Marlowe, a co-leader of the Myrtle Beach chapter of The Period Project, an organization that creates free kits for those who cannot afford tampons and pads.

One in five women or girls between the ages of 12 and 44 in South Carolina live below the federal poverty line, and one in four people who menstruate have missed school or work because they didn’t have access to period supplies, according to a 2019 fact sheet from the Alliance for Period Supplies.

Among college-aged women, 14.2% have experienced period poverty within the last year, and an extra 10% experienced it monthly, according to a 2021 study published in BMC Women’s Health.

And according to the 2021 State of the Period report, more than half of menstruating students said they have worn period products longer than what’s recommended.

That can lead to severe health consequences, especially for tampons, which can potentially cause deadly toxic shock syndrome if worn for too long.

Since forming in 2017, the Myrtle Beach chapter of The Period Project, which covers Horry, Georgetown and Marion counties, has distributed more than 30,000 period packs.

It started by creating packs for homeless and domestic violence shelters. Then, after educators started reaching out, the group began offering them to Title I schools, as well.

Five years later, the chapter now services about 20 agencies, in addition to schools.

Marlowe said that students will start their periods at school, don’t have supplies on them and don’t have the resources at home, either. What happens, then, she said, is that school nurses personally get involved.

“Unfortunately, school nurses are mostly left with the burden of paying for the products,” Marlowe said.

She first started seeing inflation’s impact on menstrual products in November. Then, she began hearing from people who couldn’t find tampons and pads on the shelves.

It’s gotten progressively worse since then. Marlowe has seen prices increase between 30% and 50% since April – and in some cases even doubling – and attributes some of the increasing costs on Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, which subsequently raised the cost of cotton.

Now, she said some companies are limiting how many boxes the organization can order.

When it comes to access, price isn’t even the only issue.

“It is honestly just what you can find anymore,” Marlowe said.

With the price of food and rent also seeing large jumps, people are having to choose between paying for groceries, their electric bill and their menstrual products.

If someone doesn’t have access to running water, Marlowe said, they can’t wash their clothes or reusable menstrual products like a menstrual cup or period underwear.

In South Carolina, the luxury tax applies to menstrual products.

“In general, they shouldn’t be a luxury product,” Marlowe said.

But efforts to remove the luxury tax from menstrual products have gained no traction in the General Assembly. The most recent proposed piece of legislation, the Female Health and Wellness Act, was introduced by Sen. Mike Fanning (D-Fairfield) in February 2021. Fanning is listed as the bill’s only sponsor, and the proposed law was never heard in the Senate Committee on Medical Affairs.

Marlowe attributes the lack of movement to a male-dominated General Assembly.

“It is really hard to push an agenda for menstrual health when men are the ones in charge,” she said. “It is just not a priority.”

She’s seen some recent changes, noting that a male legislator approached her to ask questions and stated that he didn’t realize that period poverty is an issue.

A big reason why period poverty isn’t noticed, she said, is because of a lack of education. Overwhelmed schools aren’t able to dedicate resources to menstruation classes, and students don’t know what a healthy versus unhealthy period looks like.

“A lot of kids can’t identify their own body parts, let alone what happens to those body parts when they’re menstruating,” she said.

The kits include menstrual health information. She’s also noticing that middle school girls are becoming more involved in helping pack the kits.

“It is so fun, it is,” she said. “They are very specific to the pads they want, and I love it.”

Marlowe encourages contacting state lawmakers to advocate for eliminating the luxury tax on period products, adding them to WIC and SNAP benefits, and providing free menstrual products in public buildings. She also encourages voting for lawmakers who support the measures.

“It is basic health care, and everybody should be entitled to it,” Marlowe said. “It shouldn’t just be because you can pay for it.”

Marlowe said people can help by volunteering with the project, whether that’s gathering, packaging or delivering kits. The Period Project also has an Amazon wishlist.

Period Project drop-off locations for pads and tampons in Myrtle Beach are located at Cut, Bang, Blow Hair Salon, the Starbucks at 470 Hwy. 17 Bypass South, Yoga in Common and Saving Grace Music School.

CONWAY, S.C. (WMBF) - You may have gotten used to Restaurant Week in Conway, but this year, Conway Downtown Alive is beefing things up with Conway Burger Week.

Conway Burger Week, presented by Pepsi Bottling Ventures, is a twist on Conway’s traditional Restaurant Week by challenging restaurants to create non-traditional burger specialty burgers.

Eleven different restaurants signed up to create outlandish burger creations for the week.

Kelli Thomas, Communications Manager for Conway Downtown Alive, said Conway Burger Week is a fun way to drive even more business to Conway.

“All of our restaurants have some variation of a burger, and we thought hey, this will be a great opportunity for them to get creative and we also thought it would be stuff that would actually get people out and about to come visit Conway to check out a specialty burger,” said Thomas.

Here’s a list of each restaurant and their burger creations for the week:

· Bonfire- a Smokin’ Taqueria

- BBQ Shrimp Cheddar Burger w/ Sweet Pickled Onions & Smoked Tomato Ranch

· Caribbean Jerk Cuisine

- Jamaican Jerk Burger

· Chanti’s Pizza

- Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

· Coppers Restaurant

- Fried Green Tomato, Pimento Cheese & Bacon Burger

· Crafty Rooster

- Bacon Jam Burger w/ Cheddar Jack, Lettuce, Tomato & Fried Onions (Monday-Thursday)

- CINO Burger w/ Chanticleer Sauce, Provolone, Lettuce, Tomato & Ranch (Friday-Sunday)

· Crooked Oak Tavern

- Southern Charm Burger w/ Smoked Gouda, Apple Bourbon Bacon Jam & Sweet Potato Straws

- Spicy Meatball Burger w/ Pepperoni, Mozzarella, Pomodora Sauce & Fresh Basil

Groucho’s Deli

-Marinated Roast Beef Burger

Rivertown Bistro

-Duck Jalapeno Slider Burger w/ Duck Fat Aioli, Bacon & Horseradish Pickle on a Hawaiian Roll

Shine Cafe

- Asian Style Wonton Chicken Burger

- Cheese burger Wontons w/ a Dill Pickle Remoulade

Trestle Cafe & Bakery

- Lump Crab, Blue Cheese & Onion String Burger

-Beef Brisket & Cheddar Burger

Whitakers

- Surimi Crabcake Burger

Conway Burger Week starts Monday, September 19 and lasts through Sunday, September 25.

You can click this link to vote for your favorite burger of Conway Burger Week.

Copyright 2022 WMBF. All rights reserved.

Not a lot of good news tonight, but there’s a little.

We’re going to start with the playoff teams again.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were hounded by the Charleston RiverDogs (Rays), 10-6. The RiverDogs won the South Division playoff, 2 games to none. The Pelicans season is now over.

Didier Vargas started the game strong, striking out the first two batters he faced. But a seeing-eye single and a two-run home run that just cleared the fence in right field put the Birds in an early 2-0 hole.

But DH Haydn McGeary struck back with a two-run home run of his own in the bottom of the first.

Vargas continued strong through the first three innings, striking out seven batters and keeping the score tied. But things fell apart in the fourth. After Vargas retired the first two batters of the inning on grounders to third, he gave up a single, a walk and another RBI single, allowing Charleston to take a 3-2 lead. Then a crucial error by second baseman Josue Huma blew the gates open to a five-run inning by the RiverDogs, with all five runs coming after two were out.

The final line on Vargas, who took the loss, was seven runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. Only three of the seven runs were earned. Vargas struck out seven and walked just one.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans bats could not do anything against Charleston pitchers Alex Ayala Jr. and Daiveyon Whittle after the McGeary home run in the first inning. When Pelicans reliever Brody McCullough surrendered three more runs in the top of the eighth, the score was 10-2 and it looked hopeless.

It was, but the Pelicans put up a fight in the. ninth inning. Moises Ballesteros came to bat as a pinch-hitter with a man and no outs and crushed one over the right field wall to make it 10-4. The next batter up, Josue Huma, went back-to-back with a home run of his own to make it 10-5.

The Pelicans then put two men on after one out and it began to look like a miracle comeback was possible. But other than an RBI single by McGeary, the Pelicans rally fell short there and their season ended with a 10-6 defeat.

McGeary went 2 for 3 with the home run and walk. He had the three runs batted in.

Huma was 3 for 5.

Here are the final Pelicans highlights of the season.

The South Bend Cubs were hulled by the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 5-3. The best-of-three series is now tied at one game apiece. Game three is on Friday night in Cedar Rapids.

South Bend took an early lead in this one when right fielder Owen Caissie doubled and third baseman Luis Verdugo singled him home in the top of the second. But South Bend starter Porter Hodge gave up a run in the bottom of the second and a solo home. run in the third.

The Cubs used the same formula in the fourth inning to tie it up 2-2 as they did to score their first run. Verdugo doubled and then catcher Pablo Aliendo singled him home.

Second baseman Fabian Pertuz gave South Bend a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth with a solo home run.

Hodge left after pitching four innings and allowing two runs on three hits. He walked three and struck out four.

Unfortunately, neither pitcher who threw in the fourth inning for South Bend, Adam Laskey and Joe Nahas, could find the plate. The Kernels’ Brooks Lee led off the inning with a double off of Laskey and then Laskey walked the next batter to put runners on first and second and no outs.

But Laskey looked like he’d get out of the inning when he retired the next two batters on fly outs (thanks in part to a terrific catch by Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field). But then Laskey walked the bases loaded and he exited for Nahas.

Nahas walked the first batter he faced on four pitches to tie the game 3-3. Next Nahas hit a batter (on what would have been ball four anyway) to make it 4-3. Finally Nahas balked in the third run to make if 5-3.

Neither team came close to scoring the rest of the game.

Laskey was charged with three runs on one hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He was also handed the loss.

South Bend out hit Cedar Rapids 7 to 4, but they also issued seven walks and hit two batters while South Bend hitters only walked three times.

Verdugo was 2 for 4. Pertuz was 1 for 5 with the home run.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs clipped the wings of the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 8-5.

Wyatt Short started and picked up the win after allowing three runs on four hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Ben Leeper pitched a perfect ninth inning and got the save. He struck out one.

Iowa jumped out to a 7-0 and 8-1 lead by the fourth inning and then hung on to complete their victory. They scored five runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run double by center fielder Darius Hill. Hill was 2 for 4 with two doubles and the two RBI.

Catcher John Hicks made it 8-1 with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. It was Hicks’ 18th home run this season. He was 1 for 4.

Right fielder Alexander Canario played his first game in two weeks and went 1 for 3 with an RBI single. He also walked once and he scored two runs.

Left fielder Brennen Davis was 1 for 3 with a double and he was hit by a pitch. He scored two times.

Tennessee Smokies

Dalton Stambaugh started and held the Lookouts to one run on six hits over four innings. Stambaugh struck out six and walked one.

Jarod Wright relieved Stambaugh and he didn’t have much trouble in the fifth inning beyond hitting a batter. But then he came out to pitch the sixth and he gave up three runs and took the loss. Wright’s final line was three runs on two hits and three walks over 1.2 innings. He did not strike anyone out and he did hit that one batter.

Left fielder Cole Roederer hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, his fifth home run over the past seven games. Roederer was 2 for 4 and scored twice. Roederer now has nine home runs this year and eight with Tennessee.

Shortstop Luis Vazquez went 3 for 4 with one run batted in. He also stole a base.

Right fielder Yonathan Perlaza went 0 for 1 with three walks and a steal.

MURRELLS INLET, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 19, 2022--

Eastern Eye Care, founded by Shawn Thomas, O.D., has joined the growing US Eye network of premium eye care practices. The addition of Eastern Eye Care continues US Eye’s expansion throughout coastal South Carolina and adds a presence in the growing Grand Strand area, centered around Myrtle Beach. The expansion follows US Eye’s entry into the Hilton Head area in 2021.

Through the US Eye partnership, Eastern Eye Care will be affiliated with Carolina Eyecare Physicians, a multi-specialty, multi-location ophthalmology and optometry practice based in Charleston, SC. The partnership offers patients access to nationally renowned providers, innovative services, and cutting-edge technology.

“Myrtle Beach in particular has been an area of interest for us as we have seen an influx of residents traveling to our Carolina Eyecare Physicians offices for ophthalmic services. Having a local US Eye office for pre-and post-operative care will be a welcome convenience for our patients who reside in the region,” said Dr. Kerry Solomon, Chief Medical Officer of US Eye and Cataract Surgeon at Carolina Eyecare Physicians. He adds, “I have personally worked with Dr. Thomas for over a decade and have been thoroughly impressed by his expertise, practice model and his dedication to excellent patient care. He's a fantastic addition to the US Eye team.”

Dr. Shawn Thomas completed his undergraduate studies in Pre-Medicine and Biology at Penn State University and obtained his Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He continued his extensive training at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia, PA, the Medical Hospital at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, VA and the Katzen Eye Group in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Thomas has been practicing for over two decades and specializes in caring for patients with advanced ocular disease such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eye and cornea conditions. He is committed to continuing education and advancing the eye care industry, having published numerous journal articles on refractive surgery and lectured at conferences across the United States and internationally.

Speaking of the partnership, Dr. Thomas shares, “US Eye’s operational model is the gold standard for any medical optometry practice. The collaboration between surgeon and optometric physician is seamless, allowing patients to experience exceptional care throughout the patient journey. The integrated aspect of US Eye practices, in addition to the physician-led environment, makes US Eye a superior organization that I am proud to join. I look forward to providing my patients with the advanced technology, innovative treatments and the expanded resources that US Eye brings to the table.”

US Eye is a physician led, patient-centric network of practices founded on a commitment to providing exceptional patient service through premium technology and unrivaled provider expertise. Member practices offer an extensive range of ophthalmic and optometric services including comprehensive eye exams, laser cataract surgery, advanced intraocular lenses, all-laser LASIK, glaucoma, retina, cornea care, and more.

The addition of Eastern Eye Care brings the total number of US Eye practice locations to 64 across the Southeastern United States. Eastern Eye Care will integrate its operations, procedures, and service offerings with Carolina Eyecare Physicians, expanding the practice network further throughout coastal South Carolina.

About US Eye

US Eye is a leading group of patient-centric, vertically integrated multi-specialty physician practices providing patients with care in ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology, audiology and cosmetic facial surgery. US Eye is based in Sarasota, Florida, employing over 110 providers and over 1,000 staff members across 5 states. The company currently operates 64 offices and 5 ambulatory surgery centers in the Southeast United States. US Eye is owned by its partner practices and is backed by Pamlico Capital, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based firm investing in founder-owned businesses for over 30 years. Learn more about US Eye at USEye.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220919005098/en/

CONTACT: Media Contact:

Marissa Rossnagle, VP of Marketing, US Eye

Ph. 941-480-2162 |[email protected] Contact:

Justin Santa Cruz, Chief Development Officer, US Eye

Ph. 941-408-5730 |[email protected]

KEYWORD: SOUTH CAROLINA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OPTICAL HEALTH OTHER HEALTH

SOURCE: US Eye

Copyright Business Wire 2022.

PUB: 09/19/2022 07:00 AM/DISC: 09/19/2022 07:03 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220919005098/en

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon is right around the corner.

At this point in the training process, runners are lacing up their sneakers for runs anywhere between nine and 12 miles. For runners who work during the day, they have no choice but to get those runs in before the sun rises.

Kelly Burton, manager at Black Dog Running Company, said runners have to plan their runs around their lives, not their lives around their runs.

“That’s what we do,” Burton said. “Especially training long distance. When you have hours to run, we plan it around our families.”

The climate in Myrtle Beach does not help much, either. The heat and humidity make it dangerous for runners to set off on their runs in the afternoon.

People who do not run, tend to tell runners not to run in the dark, but for distance runners, that really is not an option.

“No. Running on the treadmill is not the same,” Burton said.

If runners are setting out before the sun rises, there are ways to make it safer, and Myrtle Beach is runner friendly.

“Market Common is excellent, and there’s tons of road here,” Burton said. “You don’t even have to cross [Highway] 17, and you can easily get 10 or 12 miles in. You might get lost if you don’t know where you’re going, but again, you’re lost in a safe place, filled with neighbors.”

Burton said connecting with neighbors is another way to set up for success on a run.

“I’m the person who always is making eye contact and saying hi or stopping to pet your dog,” Burton said. “If we know our neighbors, we’re never totally alone.”

Running in a group is always the best idea, but some runners prefer to run alone.

“That’s our mental health. It’s our downtime,” Burton said. “It’s our, you know, let me collect my thoughts and not have to talk to anybody.”

If you are running alone, making sure someone knows where you are and what route you are taking is important.

“Let a few key people know your route,” Burton said. “Every time I run, my husband and two other people know exactly where I am and they can track me live.”

Black Dog has a motto that she hopes all runners will follow.

“Never run alone,” Burton said. “Whether that’s physically or mentally, emotionally, make sure that you feel safe when you’re running.”