http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/ Gifford, SC News http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/content/145df45888dafff5b7f4bacd456b8527.html strongspan classsubheadDemocratsspanstrongpThe Southenders Democratic Club meets at 6 pm Thursday at The Roost 5417 SC 544 That's on old Highway 544 about a mile west of the swing bridge For information contact Paul Richardson at a hrefmailto:richardsondemocratscrrcomrichardsondemocratscrrcomaor Dianne Dollriehs at 6553039pThe Beach Dems will meet for a breakfast buffet from 8 to 9 am Friday at Akel's Pancake House at the corner of 65th Avenue North and Kings Highway Guest speaker will be Rep James Smith the SC House minority leader and a potential candidate for governor The buffet is 7 For information contact Sally P Howard at 4491936 or a hrefmailto:sallyphowardaolcomsallyphowardaolcoma http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/content/2a1748046b21ad09539387f2a1ce6873.html After a tumultuous year for the economy many consumers investors and business owners were ready to say good riddance to 2008 But will the Grand Strand's economy get any better in '09pBad news first: Home prices will continue a rough ride for most of 2009 and more people are expected to lose their jobs sending the Grand Strand's unemployment rate into the double digitspNow some good news: Prices are expected to ease It's likely that gas prices will hold steady for the first half of the year and consumers likely will continue to find deals as stores keep sales aiming to lure shoppers http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/content/800376b027dd872b6d0f1bdc1309094a.html Anyone dreaming of a Table Rock Christmas in 2009 or welcoming 2010 from Hunting Island would be wise to reserve cabins soon but state park summer reservations are slow http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/content/5527cd27a20158724be3e61c92b06125.html FLORENCE 8212; Airline passengers looking to begin their holiday travel a little early found nothing but frustration and delays this week at several Southeastern airports including Florence Regional Airport http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/content/619ab64facdb053ecf4667384ded6e47.html Falling gasoline prices are just the fuel needed to pump up longdistance holiday travelers such as Stacy CollinsThe Charleston resident plans to drive her Ford Escape to New Jersey on Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend's family http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/content/8f31c2a7528d9b5263645d286f5ea339.html State troopers expect to see heavy Thanksgiving traffic in the Pee Dee partly because a drop in gasoline prices could lead people to make lastminute travel plans according to AAA Carolinas http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/content/e857900fafd52c509fe49a6fe5b4a379.html The average pump price for regular unleaded gas fell below 2 a gallon in the Greenville metro area on Wednesday the lowest its been in 21 months http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/south-carolina/gifford/content/0b92e132aea5a3c8c04cf377b28be051.html The rapid drop in gasoline prices may slow with OPEC cuts in oil production analysts said Monday