Recently, the Grand Strand's local newspaper, The Sun News, featured our wonderful new Executive Chef, Marvin Jones, in a discussion of warm-weather menu items. Here is a portion of the article:

Whenever Jim Eggen, Avista's General Manager, finds a spare moment to relax from the responsibilities of his job at the resort, he seeks out the most remote stretch of back-water in the Grand Strand to drop his fishing line in search of peace, quiet, and (if available) fish.

To relax thoroughly, everyone needs to calm the body as well as the mind, and Jim's relaxation method of choice is fishing because of its settling effects. Beautiful landscapes, soothing music from nearby birds, and the thrill of fishing in his "reel" life help make him more efficient in handling the many and varied issues that occur back in his "real" life.

Here's an idea for you. Try Jim's recipe for rebuilding your own core energies. Why not come on down to the beach, check into Avista Resort, and go fishing, either here at oceanfront on the surf, a few blocks northward at The Cherry Grove Pier, or far into the back-water, as Jim does, where many Grand Strand fishing sites abound? There's nothing like a beach get-away to restore your energies! Just ask Jim!

Avista Resort has begun using the hot new social networking tools called Twitter and Facebook to help you stay informed. The icons shown below appear on Avista's web homepage, and you can click on the "Follow Me" icon from Twitter, for example, to go right to the Avista Twitter page.

If you are not already familiar with social networking on the internet, it is used in many ways, so it's not just for the school kids. Stay informed with us on Twitter so that you know what our latest events are, what is going on here on the beach, what the vacation discounts are, and even review the newsletters.

If you have not already discovered this added value to our website and would like to join in, please take a moment to log on and scroll down to the bottom of the home page. Try these sites and let us know what you think.

Look for these icons:

TWITTER Started in 2006 as a free social networking and micro-blogging service, Twitter enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets. Regularly, we "tweet" about the beach weather, links to the newsletters, and events that are going on here and around the Grand Strand. When you see this icon, click on it to connect with the Avista Twitter site.

A recent addition to the efforts on behalf of Relay for Life is a company-wide silent auction scheduled for later this summer. Contributors of prizes are mounting up, and once the prizes are identified and the bidding has begun, all proceeds will go to Relay for Life in care of The American Cancer Society.

As soon as details become available for bidding on the prizes, we will announce the information through the "news" section of Avista's web site and also in the next newsletter, plus through Twitter and Facebook. Currently, the list holds some exciting and well-known companies around the Grand Strand:

• T-Bonz
• Family Kingdom
• Ripley's Aquarium
• Tanger Outlets
• Tri-County Mechanical Inc.
• Enchanted Sailing Charters
• Wal-Mart
• SeaBoard Signs
• Target Media
• Legends in Concert
• Medieval Times
• Justine's Photography

As part of the continued fund raising for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts is holding its First Annual "Swing Fore the Cure" Golf Tournament at Myrtle Beach National's Kings North Golf Course on Saturday, August 1st. We are currently taking applicants on the official web site at www.MBSRAnnualGolfTournament.com (click on "Register").

Costs range from $75 for an individual to $260 for a foursome, and the price entitles to the participant to beverages, lunch, and lots of fun. Hole sponsorships are priced at $100 each, and proceeds go directly to Relay through the American Cancer Society. An added feature is a "bonus package" of entry tickets for prizes (2 mulligans plus 5 raffle tickets) at $20/individual and $80/foursome.

This enjoyable event starts with a 9:00 am "shotgun" launch of the golfers. At midday, enjoy the awards luncheon where officials will present prizes from the tournament and also announce the winners of the Silent Auction event that is being held over the summer, so please join us on this most esteemed of Myrtle Beach golf courses, Kings North!

Avista Resort enjoyed many guests over the past month, and some of those guests stayed here to enjoy our amenities and activities, as well as to participate in the action around the Grand Strand:

• Military Appreciation Days. The very first Myrtle Beach Military Appreciation Days Festival included active duty personnel and veterans in a golf match, a basketball tournament, a marksmanship competition, a 5K run/walk, a model airplane demonstration, a combat cook-off, a concert/picnic, and much more all across the Grand Strand. Lasting from May 28-30, the celebration hosted more than 20 military groups and their families from North and South Carolina and Georgia.
  
  
• Bikers in North Myrtle Beach. While sunny weather and trouble-free vacation options made our area a great spot for bikers this past May, the crowds were noticeably smaller than they have been in previous years. The City of North Myrtle Beach conducted business as usual, and so did Avista Resort where a number of bikers, as well as guests with a variety of interests, stayed and enjoyed their vacations.
  
  
• May 30th Avista's Tree Top Lounge presented Gary Jules in song. This was a surprise booking that resulted in a highly successful turn-out, so come hang out regularly at Tree Top to stay on top of events! This one was great! With a pre-show by Joel Rush, a Charleston singer/songwriter, the evening was fully packed with talent and enjoyment. Watch our web site under "news" for future happenings such as this or check the local web site www.NorthMyrtleBeachOnline.com under "Things To Do."
  
  
• Warmer weather and June. As schools are ending their sessions, many families are taking advantage of discounts to bring their children to the beach. As we have done in past years, Avista is again featuring organized children's activities. This year our two wonderfully fun instructors are Diana and Oscar, and they bring with them a wide array of interesting amusements for ages 5 and older. The list includes pool games, shark tooth searches, games such as "Steal the Bacon" and "World Trivia," hair wraps, seaside darts and much more. Subject to weather-related changes, these activities are available Tuesday through Saturday by signing up at the front desk here at Avista. Some activities include a nominal fee (cash only) to cover the cost of materials only (see the Activities Schedule for those with fees).
  
  
• Surprises. You just never know when a treat will happen along. Today, for example, the chef of Just Off Main brought out a plate of freshly baked, warm brownies to the front desk for any passer-by or arriving guest to enjoy. What a treat! This is just one of life's pleasures here at Avista, where guests are treated like family!

This summer, Avista Resort uses the talents of our two fabulous activities coordinators, Diana and Oscar shown here, when you want to line up interesting and fun things to do for guests ages 5 and older. The Activities Table is open now on the lawn near the pool, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm on Tuesdays through Saturday. Walk past the pool toward the beach on the south side and look for their tent. Guests who would like to register to participate in any of the activities should come to this designated table or ask at the front desk.

When you arrive, be sure to take a copy of the activities' schedule* at Avista's front desk. This flyer lists everything from water aerobics and fitness fun to pool games, arts and crafts, and hair wraps. Do you love bingo? Come to the pool every Wednesday at 1:30 pm for poolside bingo at $1 per card! Kids will enjoy playing water-balloon dodge ball every Tuesday at 4:00 pm. Young artists will delight in making "shirts to dye for" These activities are just a few that we offer, and you might find some surprises in the collection, too!

Make plans to spend July Fourth with us here at oceanfront Avista Resort and leave the fuss to us! The party begins on Saturday at noon, and all you have to do is attend!

Bring a comfortable bathing suit and a colorful beach towel to the poolside for the festivities from noon to 4:00 pm. Food and fun are all ready for your hearty appetites: burgers and 'dogs, chicken sandwiches, kid-sized "slider" burgers, chips, and more! Cool off with chilled watermelon, ice cream, frozen lemonade, and other cool delights.

While you relax, delight at the antics of our favorite poolside DJ Cecil Chandler of Channel 13 (noon to 4:00 pm). At dark, lie back and gasp at the fireworks! Don't miss any part of this wonderful July 4th party!

Happy Independence Day!

You'll find Avista Resort growing more environmentally friendly with its on-going efforts to recycle, and reprocess, and recover. In the past, we have mentioned our recycling bins for reclaiming things like aluminum cans and plastics. Here are some recent efforts:

• Changing from large, open-pour containers of coffee cream and sugar to individually wrapped (and therefore more conservative) products, reducing waste and spillage possibilities;
  
  
• Turning off lights in unused areas such as storage closets, pantries, and other places;
  
  
• Recycling junk mail to the paper recycle bin;
  
  
• Passing on replaced items such as furniture and uniforms to appropriate recycle centers;
  
  
• Collecting used batteries and other similar worn-out products that are considered hazardous to appropriate recycle center;
  
  
• Planting and maintaining live plants that help to keep the Avista's landscape clean and fresh.
  
  
• Encouraging swimmers to soap up and rinse off in a shower before going swimming in the resorts' pools, hot tubs, and lazy rivers. This reduces significant amounts of dirt, bacteria, and other pollutants such as deodorant and perfumes. The fewer pollutants, the cleaner the water.

Many people are cooking out, saving indoor energy and having fun at the same time. Here is an easy dish that helps you complete all of your meal at the same time, ready when your back-yard guests are ready to eat.

This grilled vegetable dish goes well with burgers, chicken, or hot dogs. Make the vegetable mixture earlier, allowing it to marinate in the refrigerator. Then hand it to the grill-chef when he is about 15 minutes away from serving.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon dried (or 1/4 cup chopped) fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons kosher (or 1 1/2 tsp. table) salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 fennel bulb
• 1 large red onion (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1 (8-oz.) package fresh mushrooms
• 1 pt. cherry tomatoes
• 2 medium zucchini (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 4 small yellow squash (cut into 1-inch pieces)

Preparation:

1. If making the vegetables ahead of the grill food, stir together olive oil and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl.
   
   
2. Rinse fennel thoroughly. Trim and discard root end of fennel bulb. Trim stalks from bulb, reserving fronds for another use. Cut bulb in half vertically, and remove core. Cut bulb into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
   
   
3. Toss fennel, onion, and mushrooms with half of olive oil mixture. Place that combination in a grill wok or metal basket.
   
   
4. At grill-side, make sure that the grill is preheated to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Placed the grill wok or basket filled with vegetables on the grill. Cover it with a grill lid. Cook the vegetables for 10 minutes over 350° to 400° (medium-high grill heat) heat.
   
   
5. Toss tomatoes, zucchini, and yellow squash with remaining olive oil mixture. Add to grill wok or basket. Grill, covered with grill lid, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve immediately.

Currently underway until 8/30. Jack Thompson: The Wonder Years: Myrtle Beach Photographs from the '50s and '60s. Burroughs-Chapin Art Museum, 3100 South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach.

Currently underway until 10/31. Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo. For information, 800.356.3016.

Currently underway until 8/19/09. Fireworks over the ocean. Occurring every Wednesday night, 9:30 pm to 10 pm, Second Avenue Pier or Plyler Park downtown. Information at 843.997.6695.

Currently underway, the Sounds of Summer Concert at McLean Park. Occurring now until 9/18/09, every 3rd Friday of the month at 7 pm, this free concert is located in McLean Park, North Myrtle Beach. For information, 843.280.5570.

Currently underway until the end of August, Songs of Hannah Montana at Broadway at the Beach. Occurring every Monday until the end of August, this 8 pm performance is located at Heroes Harbor. Gabbier Rae will sing as "Hannah Montana" and also performing other pop Disney tunes. For more information http://broadwayatthebeach.com.

7/4. 26th Annual July 4th Boat Parade at High Tide. Watch decorated boats cruise down the creek for the Murrells Inlet Fourth of July parade. Fireworks at 10 pm off the Inlet waters. Information at 843.651.5675 or 843.357.2007.

7/14-19. Junior SOS in North Myrtle Beach. Participating SOS lounges are Boulevard Grill, Ducks, Fat Harold's, and the OD Arcade. For more information contact: www.juniorshaggers.com.

7/16 - 18. National Father and Son Team Golf Classic. The largest father and son golf tournament in the world. For more information, 866.497.2627 or visit www.fathersongolf.com.

7/23. Rise Against at the House of Blues with special guests Rancid and Billy Talent. Reservations and information at 843.272.3000.

7/24-25. Fabulous 50's Festival. Relive American Bandstand with Elvis, Buddy Holly, the Crew Cuts. For more information, 843.349.7122.

The full list of Grand Strand events is available at our web site at "2009 Events."

For your convenience, here is a quick link to check accommodations availability.