The Rockin’ Jump — Myrtle Beach’s first trampoline park, will re-brand itself as the Sky Zone Trampoline Park, bringing new renovations for families such as a Wipe out section, a warped wall and a ninja challenge course.

Owned by local husband and wife Steve and Chrissy Mays, the trampoline park was brought to the Myrtle Beach area in 2016 and will make the transition to the Sky Zone officially in early January.

“The transition has brought new life to the park,” Steve Mays said. “A new paint scheme and new signage have really freshened things up.”

So what’s new besides the name?

Seven additions are coming to the locally-owned trampoline park, according to its website.

Guests will be able to try an 80-foot-long ninja challenge course that’ll go through nets, bridges, rings and swinging platforms. Or they can try their hand at the “boulder balls,” which bear a resemblance to the infamous obstacle course of TBS’s 2008 game show, “Wipe Out.”

A few other classic obstacles will be added, such as a fidget ladder, a warped wall to climb, or a drop zone, where you can take a plunge into a soft landing pit.

“We are also excited about new programs like our Glow Nights on Friday and Saturday plus the Little Leapers time held every morning,” Steve Mays said.

There’s more in store for the new year, though.

Guests can play basketball, soccer and volleyball on a new air-filled court that will be added in January.

The Mays will also add a three-story “Little Ninja” play area, made for kids seven years old and under. The addition of the play area will make the park “more inclusive for all ages.”

If you’ve scheduled a birthday or have a season pass for the Rockin’ Jump, your purchases will remain valid for the Sky Zone. A new website will reflect the transition soon.

Sky Zone is a trampoline park chain that owns several locations across the U.S. The Myrtle Beach location is one of 18 locations that have recently been added to the company, along with parks in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.

“Sky Zone was the original trampoline park and continues to be the leader in family entertainment,” Steve Mays said. “We are excited about the new attractions and innovations they will continue to bring to our park.”

When the sun sets on the Grand Strand, the vibe in the Myrtle Beach area transforms into a lively nightlife scene.

If you’re looking for a place to grab elaborate frozen margaritas with friends or you want to learn how to shag dance in North Myrtle Beach (where the dance was created!), there’s a spot for you.

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Feel at home in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is not your average beach town. Sign up for our Guide to the Myrtle Beach Area and get all of the information you need to become a local. Whether you are new to town or you would like to fall in love with Myrtle Beach again, we have everything you need.

So change into something fancy and pack your dancing shoes. It’s time to hit the town!

Here are some spots where you can experience what nightlife in the Myrtle Beach area is all about:

Live music, food and an in-house craft brewery come together in a venue that offers scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Address: 201 Fantasy Harbour Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

Rooftop bars bring nightlife to a whole new level, both figuratively and literally. RipTydz at the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a great place to start a night out with a surf and turf meal and fancy cocktail.

Address: 1210 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Nothing beats frozen daiquiris served beachside — except maybe a selection of over 10 different flavors of frozen daiquiris!

Address: 970 Boardwalk, 916 Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

If you’re a fan of craft beer and old-school arcade games, Play 1UP in Murrells Inlet will be a high score.

Address: 3264 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

You don’t have to go to New Orleans for a taste of the Big Easy. Bourbon Street Bar & Grille’s extended happy hour and late-night menu hits different when you’re jamming to local bands. And every Monday is Burger Night, where you can get a burger with French fries for only $4.99.

Address: 5307 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

There aren’t that many places here where you can party by the pool. A local favorite for over 35 years, Ocean Annie’s is a great place to watch live music, enjoy a drink and experience a quintessential beach party, Myrtle Beach-style.

Address: 9550 Shore Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

For late-night dancing, Spanish Galleon Beach Club is one of the hottest nightlife spots and a local favorite. Local DJs play music catering to crowds of all kinds. If you’re looking for a spot to learn how to dance the shag, Spanish Galleon hosts special events including the Shag Dance National Championships.

Address: 98 N. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach, SC

Another shag dance institution, Fat Harold’s is considered one of the best shag dance bars in the Grand Strand and was inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame.

From 1973 to 1980, The Bowery’s house band was the legendary country band Alabama. Today, The Bowery continues to be a hotspot for music, food and dancing.

Address: 110 9th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Classy cocktails pair with live piano music for a night out you won’t forget. 88 Keys Piano Bar has some of the region’s best piano players who know hundreds of songs, including over 70 years’ worth of hits.

Along with passes and plays, Deshaun Watson is practicing patience. And like nearly everything else with Cleveland's quarterback, it's taking time.

Four starts into his tenure with the Browns, Watson insisted Thursday he's not frustrated by his poor passer rating, uneven performances or any other statistics that might not be up to his past standards.

While staying present, Watson is looking ahead.

“It’s the long run and that’s why I came to Cleveland," he said. “It’s not about right now. It’s the long run.”

Watson is 2-2 as a starter since being reinstated from an 11-game NFL suspension following accusations of sexual misconduct by two dozen women during massage therapy sessions in Texas.

The 27-year-old's numbers are pedestrian, but there have been some extenuating circumstances for each of his outings.

His Dec. 4 debut in Houston — where he spent four seasons — was emotional, and he had to knock off rust from a 700-day layoff between starts. He posted the lowest QB rating (53.4) of his career as Cleveland beat the Texans.

Watson looked more like himself the following week in a loss at Cincinnati. He didn't need to do much in a 13-3 home win over Baltimore.

Last week against New Orleans, the Browns played the coldest regular-season home game in franchise history (6 degrees at kickoff) with whipping winds off Lake Erie making it tough to throw. Watson had a pair of potential TD passes dropped and another pass deflect off rookie receiver David Bell’s hands for an interception.

His numbers — 703 yards, two TDs, three picks, eight sacks and a 69.3 rating — are underwhelming and not eye-pleasing to Watson, who led the league with 4,823 yards passing in 2020.

He's not ignoring them, just minimizing their importance.

“My main focus is winning. I came to Cleveland to win a Super Bowl,” he said. “If that’s throwing the ball five times or throwing the ball 40 times and scoring five touchdowns or scoring zero touchdowns, as long as we win, that’s all I really care about.

“So the stats and stuff like that, I’ve done that before. I’ve had opportunities before. I’ve led the league in passing before, scored a lot of touchdowns, did Pro Bowls, all that stuff. My ultimate goal is trying to get that ring, and I’m going to do whatever I can to be able to try to have that opportunity.”

The Browns (6-9) aren't going to the playoffs. They can, however, wreck any postseason plans for the Washington Commanders (7-7-1) on Sunday and next week in the season finale against Pittsburgh (7-8).

Watson views the games as chances to grow with an offense he's still learning and that has scored just three TDs in his four starts.

“This is an opportunity for us to be able to continue to improve as an offense as a whole and as a team to go out there and score points and show what the Cleveland Browns is about,” Watson said. “We gotta find ways to put more points on the board.”

Cleveland's second straight losing season has intensified the pressure on coach Kevin Stefanski, who led the Browns to a playoff berth in his first season but is 14-18 since.

While there may be an outside drumbeat for Stefanski's job, Watson said the Browns believe in him.

“We all trust Kevin, we love Kevin, we support Kevin, we respect Kevin and everything that he’s about with the Cleveland Browns,” Watson said. “We’re going to continue to build that trust and build that chemistry and look for the future.”

NOTES: DE Jadeveon Clowney didn't practice due an illness, one day after returning from the concussion protocol. ... Pro Bowl LG Joel Bitonio also offered his support of Stefanski. “He's the man for the job for sure,” Bitonio said. “I have a lot of faith in him, what he’s done with our offense, the circumstances we’ve been under.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Most people know of Myrtle Beach as a popular vacationing destination.

But in recent years, many who made “The Beach” part of their annual summer traditions, who created memories fishing, playing in the sand, walking the boardwalk and hanging out by the piers, are now calling the Myrtle Beach area home. In fact, earlier this year, U.S. News and World Report named Myrtle Beach one of the fastest growing cities in America for a second year in a row.

To welcome newcomers to the Grand Strand, The Sun News is creating a Guide to the Myrtle Beach Area, a series of articles and newsletters with information that new residents, visitors (and longtime locals) will find helpful. The guide in the Myrtle Beach Life section of the website will have all you need to know about the beach, where to go and what to do as well as extra tips to help you enjoy life in the Grand Strand.

Explore the Grand Strand with us: Sign up for our new newsletter in the form below.

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Myrtle Beach is not your average beach town. Sign up for our Guide to the Myrtle Beach Area and get all of the information you need to become a local. Whether you are new to town or you would like to fall in love with Myrtle Beach again, we have everything you need.

If there’s someone you know who would like this guide? Share this story, so they can sign up, too!

As part of these guides, we asked The Sun News readers, “What would be the one thing you’d recommend to someone who is new to Myrtle Beach?”

Basically, what would be the one place that all residents of Myrtle Beach must go to in order to be considered a true local. And readers responded with hot restaurant tips, where to take the kids to play minigolf, and other ways to make the most out of the Myrtle Beach area.

Here are some of the tips we’ve received so far, and scroll to the bottom of this story to submit your tips.

“Go to Bumstead’s Pub and adjacent Dagwoods. It’s No frills, great food and drinks and welcoming service.” — Marlane White, resident for 20 years

“Have dinner at Hook & Barrel, ice cream at Kirk’s, minigolf at Hooks, walk the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park, stroll Brookgreen Gardens, movies at Market Common, shop at Broadway at the Beach, all after a relaxing day at the beach!” — Karen Riordan, resident for 4 years

“Mt. Atlanticus is the most creative of all of [the minigolf courses] with indoor/outdoor sections, sprawling holes, multiple levels too it and an interesting theme. It also play pretty well, so it isn’t too difficult for families etc., but it does keep you on your toes with a variety of different holes and ways to play. (I believe they can also move the cups on the holes too, to change up the experience.) Love playing this course when we are down there for the Mini Golf Masters on other courses.” — Pat Sheridan, frequent vacationer

“Brookgreen Gardens has majestic trees, awe-inspiring sculpture and art, beautiful gardens, wildlife exhibit and just a great quiet place to walk and enjoy!” — Tracy Turner, resident for 60 years

“Spend time at the beach. It’s the best way to just relax and have no worries.” — Dave, resident for 3 years

“Captain Hooks minigolf. Play the layout with up and down stairs, caves, and water. It has two amazing courses.” — Barry Post, new resident

“If I had kids with me, Broadway at the Beach (Ripley’s Aquarium, Wonder Works, Grand Prix), Barefoot Landing, putt-putt golf (several to choose from), Cherry Grove Pier, Painter Ice Cream, Sky Wheel, Ultimate California Pizza, Lu Lu’s. This list is a start, because as you drive around you will see many other opportunities. Also, plan your vacation time to get the most from you time in Myrtle Beach. Your vacation is over before you know it, and I found myself thinking of the things I wanted to do but not enough time left.” — Steve Farrow (8 children and 20 grandchildren), vacationer for over 30 years

“Gilligan’s Island in Garden City is fun (for minigolf), yet has some pretty challenging holes that can drive you nuts!” — Greg Forquer, frequent vacationer

“Head to Myrtle Beach State Park. It’s a beautiful beach, nice grounds and plenty of parking, and the price is right.” — David, resident for 6 years

Want to add your local tips to the list? Fill out our form, and you could be part of our guide.

A government program launched Thursday is giving American citizens the chance to play a role in resettling the thousands of refugees who arrive every year in the United States.

During the first year of the Welcome Corps, the State Department aims to line up 10,000 Americans who can help 5,000 refugees adjust to life in the United States.

“By tapping into the goodwill of American communities, the Welcome Corps will expand our country’s capacity to provide a warm welcome to higher numbers of refugees,” the department said in announcing the effort.

When refugees from around the world arrive in the U.S., they face a dramatically different way of life. To ease that transition, the department traditionally has worked with nonprofit groups that specialize in refugee issues. Under the new program, five or more Americans could form a group and help fill this role, as well.

They would apply to privately sponsor refugees to resettle in the U.S. and would be responsible for raising their own money to help the refugees over the first 90 days. Assistance would include everything from greeting refugees at the airport to finding them place to live and getting kids enrolled in school.

A consortium of nonprofits with expertise in refugee resettlement will help oversee the vetting and certification of people and groups who want to be private sponsors. They also will offer training so private sponsors understand what's needed to help refugees adjusting to life in America. The consortium will be responsible for monitoring the program.

The program will roll out in two phases. First, private sponsors will be matched with refugees already approved for resettlement under the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program. That will start during the first half of 2023.

Later, private sponsors could identify refugees abroad they would like to help and then refer those people to the Refugee Assistance Program and assist them once they arrive in the U.S.

The program is different from a recent initiative that allows 30,000 people into the country a month from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. They also need a sponsor but are being admitted to the U.S. under a humanitarian parole designation that lasts two years and offers no path to becoming permanent residents or citizens.

Under the refugee program, people fleeing violence or persecution can come to the U.S. and stay permanently. Since the Refugee Act was passed in 1980 the U.S. has admitted a little over 3 million refugees.

The Welcome Corps program comes on the heels of a similar, smaller scale endeavor under which Americans were able to sponsor Afghans or Ukrainians. That program launched in October 2021 and has helped just over 800 people coming to America through a network of 230 certified sponsor circles that included a total of about 5,000 people.

Sasha Chanoff, founder and chief executive of Boston-based RefugePoint, which supports Afghan refugees, said Canada has long used a similar model to help resettle refugees. Chanoff said the sponsor circle program capitalizes on the huge amount of goodwill among Americans to sponsor refugees, something that crosses political divides.

“This represents perhaps a unique opportunity in our history — certainly in our recent history — to really open up space for Americans to protect lives by sponsoring a family,” he said. “We’ve seen the incredible interest among the American public — Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, veterans, so many others across the political spectrum.”

President Joe Biden pledged in a 2021 executive order to restore the U.S. as the world’s haven and he called for private sponsorship of refugees. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. had largely rolled back the refugee program.

But Thursday's announcement comes as the U.S. is woefully off track if it hopes to meet Biden's goal of 125,000 refugees admitted into the U.S. during the 2023 budget year. According to State Department data, the U.S. has admitted just 6,750 refugees to the country through December — three months into the fiscal year.

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service commended the Biden administration’s “forward-thinking” program which has “potential to strengthen ties between refugees and the communities they will call home.” But Vignarajah also noted the low number of refugee admissions. The group is a national nonprofit that helps refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants.

“The Biden administration must prioritize the streamlining of refugee admissions, which remain regrettably low this fiscal year. Without urgent action to increase efficiency, it risks letting the compassion of individual sponsors and the expertise of professional refugee resettlement organizations go to waste," Vignarajah said in a statement.

Assistant Secretary of State Julieta Valles Noyes told reporters Thursday that the agency responsible for interviewing refugees overseas had conducted over 20,000 interviews during the first quarter of the year and that she was “confident” that the numbers of refugees arriving in the months ahead would increase.

AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

Follow Santana on Twitter @ruskygal

This story was originally published January 18, 2023 10:08 PM.