COLUMBIA - Horry County business and education leaders are combining to host a reception Tuesday aimed at helping legislators uncover the treasures of Myrtle Beach.

Last year, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hosted an elegant reception for legislators March 23 that attendees said was one of the best of the year.

During the session, lawmakers are treated to breakfasts, lunches, dinners and receptions almost every day, mostly hosted by statewide organizations.

The free meals and gatherings are meant for the sponsors and their causes to gain a higher profile among legislators and build goodwill.

Last year's reception was the local chamber's first attempt at hosting an event for legislators, and it was one of only a few put on by local groups.

Coastal Carolina University is joining the chamber to host this year's event, which is scheduled at the beginning of the second week of the session as part of the chamber's goal to be more aggressive legislatively.

"We're purposefully holding the reception earlier this year in hopes of having more of an impact this session," said chamber spokeswoman Holley Aufdemorte.

"The purpose of this event is to increase awareness of the Myrtle Beach area's numerous contributions to the state and underscore the area's critical needs as the 2005 legislative session begins," she said.

The theme is "Underwater Adventure," and guests will be invited to uncover the locale's "hidden treasures."

The combination with CCU makes it possible to do a bit more this year, Aufdemorte said.

The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Clarion Town House Hotel, where many legislators stay while they are in session.

In addition to its support for a later school-start date to restore the August vacation month, the chamber also plans to push for beach renourishment funds and more state money for Interstate 73 and other road and bridge projects.

'Bubber' Clemmons?

State Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, stepped in to fulfill a duty of former Rep. John "Bubber" Snow, introducing and getting passed the annual declaration of Beach Music Day at the Capitol.

Longtime House member Snow, of Hemingway, was defeated for re-election. An aficionado of beach music and its accompanying shag dance, Snow was responsible for having shag declared the state dance and beach music the state popular music.

He also was the main organizer of Beach Music Day at the Capitol, which features five or six bands and performers playing for hours at the Capitol steps if the weather permits.

"We're going to have the big Bubber Snow event," Clemmons said. This year's event will be April 13, and Snow will still help to organize it, he said.

"We always enjoy having the beach-music performers come to the Capitol and entertain us," he said.

Clemmons said beach-music historian and promoter Harry Turner asked him to fill Snow's shoes in sponsoring the resolution this year. Clemmons said he doesn't claim, like Snow, to be an expert shag dancer but appreciates the music because he grew up with it and because it is part of beach life and lore.

Election appeal

Losing candidate Dick Withington's appeal of the House District 106 race will be heard by the Elections Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Withington, a Democrat, said the ballot was unfairly laid out. The State Election Commission dismissed his claim because he did not show up for his appeal.

State law says the next appeal is to the House itself. That has happened only three other times, Speaker David Wilkins said, and in each case, the challengers were overruled.

Nelson Hardwick, a Republican, won the seat. The subcommittee will make a recommendation to the full committee, and it must make a recommendation to the full House.

The hearing is in Room 515A of the Blatt House Office Building.

Also next week

The Senate is expected to schedule a full slate of committee meetings. It did not hold many last week because members wanted to reserve time to debate rules changes. Those were voted in on the first day.

The House will not be in session Thursday so Wilkins and other members can attend the Bush inauguration.