MOSH After Dark: Music Under the Stars
Learn about the stars that shine over Jacksonville while enjoying a live musical performance under the stars of the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium. Guests will be treated to a star show in the planetarium at 7 p.m. followed by a live musical performance. Rooftop stargazing and wine tasting will be from 8 to 9 p.m.
Admission, which includes access to exhibits, is $10 for the general public and $5 for MOSH Members.
Music Under the Stars is part of MOSH After Dark, a fun series of monthly programs geared toward adults. Music Under the Stars is a collaboration between MOSH and Friday Musicale

On July 16, bee counters across the nation are hosting “backyard bee parties” and other garden events as they celebrate Bee-a-thon 2011, the first-ever online “town hall” event dedicated to our pollinators and broadcasting live to worldwide audiences from 9 am to 9 pm US-Pacific Time. I’m writing you to see if you will help spread the word, through your network, friends and family, about this free grassroots event to help raise awareness around the plight of our disappearing native bees.

Bee-a-thon 2011 is a fun, interactive family-friendly event featuring top experts in science, conservation, youth engagement and education. People can tune-in to Bee-a-thon anytime throughout the day from living rooms, gardens, mobile devices and “backyard bee parties” all over the world, to listen in and ask questions in real time.
Bee curious, bee aware, bee a good neighbor
Here are three ways you can spread the buzz and help the bees:

1 – Put a bee-counting widget on your blog. The “bee-o-meter” tracks the populations of honeybees across the country. You can click on it to find the number of bees in your zip code. Our goal for 2011 is to have one bee counter in each of the 43,000 U.S. zip codes. Supporting blogs and organizations will have their logo, name and a link back to their site placed on the YourGardenShow.com website. To get your “bee-o-meter,” visit: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/news51.

2 – Forward this email to your network of readers, friends and family. Invite them to RSVP for the Bee-a-thon here: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/bee-a-thon.

3 – Host a “backyard bee party” or other “rooftop” event. Rally your friends and join Bee-a-thon for a day of engagement and celebration. Downloads and other resources are available here: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/bee-a-thon.

Bee-a-thon 2011 is hosted by YourGardenShow.com to kick-off the Great Bee Count, a national Citizen Science campaign to count bees across North America and help shape bee conservation efforts. To find out more about the Great Bee Count with The Great Sunflower Project, visit: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/citizen-science/great-sunflower-project.

The event is free and open to all. We hope to see you there!

Bee well,

The General Assembly reduced the Pre-Kindergarten (lottery) budget substantially. As a result of this funding reduction, the academic calendar for the free Pre-Kindergarten program was reduced.

Those budget reductions mean pre-K students in Savannah-Chatham Public Schools don’t start the 2011-12 school year until Tues. Sept. 20. (The start day for the rest of the Savannah-Chatham public school students is Aug. 22. ) Pre-Kindergarten staff and students will then follow the district’s academic calendar for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year.

We wonder how these changes for the Pre-Kindergarten school year for Savannah-Chatham public schools is affecting the pre-K waiting lists at coveted public schools? Has anyone noticed parents opting out of free public pre-Ks or taking their names off the waiting lists as a result of the delayed school year start or because of pre-K teachers transferring out of pre-K to other grades?

Vacancies are now available for the Pre-K program in the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. The following locations have openings:

• East Broad Elementary- 400 East Broad
• Gadsden Elementary- 919 May Street
• Haven Elementary- 5111 Dillon Street
• Heard Elementary- 414 Lee Blvd.
• Low Elementary- 15 Blue Ridge Ave
• Spencer Elementary- 100 Bouhan Street
• Thunderbolt Elementary- 3313 Louis Street
• Woodville-Tompkins- 151 Coach Joe Turner Drive

For info on qualifications for pre-k, click here

The search is almost over!!

Classic Kids and Michelle L Morris Photography have had an AMAZING and OVERWHELMING response to the Model Search, with already well over 100 entries! They are still looking for beautiful, unique and vibrant babies and children! There is only ONE MORE DAY to enter!! The deadline is June 30!

Finalist will be announced this Friday. Don’t forget that they are offering an outstanding model package to all the winning models including gifts from other local Savannah vendors including Just for Baby & More and Petite Feet of Savannah. Click on this link here for details on how to enter.

For instructions on how to vote for your favorite photo, click here.

Catch the fun, energetic The Maggie and Jackson Kid’s Music Show at the Salty Dog in South Beach Marina

Catch the fun, energetic The Maggie and Jackson Kid’s Music Show at the Salty Dog in South Beach Marina

Catch the fun, energetic The Maggie and Jackson Kid’s Music Show at the Salty Dog in South Beach Marina

Catch the fun, energetic The Maggie and Jackson Kid’s Music Show at the Salty Dog in South Beach Marina

Their two nightly shows Monday-Thursday, 7 & 8 pm, are the perfect way to end your summer daytrip to Hilton Head. The live music show is paired with daily face painting that starts at 6:30 pm.

This kid-friendly duo perform at the Salty Dog through Sept. 5 2011. Definitely make plans to take the kids. Restaurants, playground, face-painting, live children’s music, ice cream, summertime.. You can’t beat it!

The Maggie and Jackson Kid’s Music Show, The Salty Dog Café, 232 S. Sea Pines Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928 (843) 671-2233, www.saltydog.com .

Only 1 more Art on the Park Fine Arts Camp this summer!

Messy Mornins’
July 11-15 | ages 5-8
9:00am-12:30pm
Very Limited Space- email today to register!

Price includes all art materials in addition to time for recess in the park & time to eat a brown-bagged lunch, plus a special welcome gift. Every lesson is tailored specifically for this age-group in an effort to broaden your child’s artistic vocabulary, knowledge of basic art history, and skill-set with different materials.

Have more than 1 child in this age-group or does your child have a buddy for camp?
You’ll receive a discounted rate!

PLUS…
Private sessions for Ages 7-17: Special July Rate!
July only! Email to find out how to get the Southernmamas rate!
Private sessions are tailored specifically to incorporate your child’s interests and define their technical skills.

To find out more, Please email tskart@yahoo.com or call her cell at 202.425.9543
Torrey Kist, MFA studio is located on Washington Avenue across from Daffin Park.

We’re on hiatus here on Hilton Head Is. and just discovered the fun, energetic The Maggie and Jackson Kid’s Music Show at the Salty Dog in South Beach Marina.

Their two nightly FREE shows Monday-Thursday, 7 & 8 pm, are the perfect way to end your summer daytrip to Hilton Head. The live music show is paired with daily face painting that starts at 6:30 pm.

This kid-friendly duo perform at the Salty Dog through Sept. 5 2011. Definitely make plans to take the kids. Restaurants, playground, face-painting, live children’s music, ice cream, summertime.. You can’t beat it!

The Maggie and Jackson Kid’s Music Show, The Salty Dog Café, 232 S. Sea Pines Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928 (843) 671-2233, www.saltydog.com .

Crabbing with kids to catch Carolina Blue Crabs can be comical and tends to require less skill than fishing.

What you need:

a bucket, a crab net (available at any hardware store or bait shop), 10- to 12-feet of sturdy string with a chicken neck attached above a two-ounce sinker.

What to do:

Cut the line about ten to twelve feet, add a sinker, then a chicken neck for bait. Leave the end with the chicken in the water, and patiently wait. You’ll see the crab nibbling on your line. Once the crab grabs, pull the line in with the crab on it and scoop it into the bucket

Where to crab

A pier, sea wall, sea shore, or dock. Crabs will be closer to shore in murky water and a bit farther out in clear water. You can crab from shore if there is no wave action.  Our suggestions include:

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Harris Neck Road (Highway 131)
Off U.S. Highway 17 between Eulonia and Darien in McIntosh County, GA (From I-95, take Exit 67)
www.fws.gov/harrisneck/

South Beach, Hilton Head Is.
Located at the “toe” of the island near the South Beach marina, is the Calibogue beach. There is no public parking, so it’s best to walk or bike from South Beach Marina parking lot.

Rules

There is a minimum size for “keepers”: five inches wide point to point to keep.  You may not keep a female carrying eggs (an orange spongy mass on their underside).

Telfair Museums 2011 Summer Art Camps for children include: Artful Afternoons- Half day Studio Art Camp. For Ages 6-8 July 11-15/1-5 PM

In this afternoon camp, students will gain an appreciation for fine art through creative visual and hands-on experiences. Participants will tour the various museum galleries to study the work of exhibiting artists in addition to selected pieces from the permanent collection. Following their gallery visits, campers will head to the education studios to explore new artistic techniques. Camp culminates with a student art exhibition featuring work produced during the weeklong program and a reception in the JepsonCenter. Registration fee: $100 members/ $125 non-members.

Pre-registration is required. Call 912.790.8823 or email bradleyk@telfair.org.
All classes and times subject to change. For more information on Telfair Museums education
programs, classes, studio workshops, and registration, call 912.790.8823 or visit www.telfair.org/learn/classes/overview

Usborne Books and More makes fantastic educational books for kids who love to read and kids who hate to read and everyone in between!  Usborne Books carries 1500+ titles for babies through high school and for the child at heart.  July is an amazing month to discover how you can add these wonderful books to the child in your life’s library.

Melissa Mallory, a mother of 4, is a local consultant and loves the family friendly nature of this business and the satisfaction of promoting literacy in the community.  “It is extremely gratifying to work in a business that I can share with my family.  Usborne has several ways to offer these high quality books to families, schools, and organizations so I can tailor my business to suit the needs of my family.”

Some of Melissa’s services include:

Home shows
Catalog shows
E-shows
Business opportunity
Gift registry/wish list registry
Reading Incentive Program
Matching Grant Program
Book Fairs
Cards for a Cause Fundraiser (NEW!)
School/Library Sales

During the month of July, the fabulous full-sized business kit for new consultants (reg. price-$149)  is available for the mini kit price ($69.99 +tax; shipping included)!  Click here for more information.  Sign up today and begin to write your own success story! 

July is also Double Hostess Rewards for qualifying shows.  How does $200 in FREE BOOKS sound?  This is a great opportunity to build the child in your life’s library or stock up on gifts!  Dates are limited so contact Melissa ASAP to reserve your party date.

Melissa is offering all Southernmamas readers the opportunity to receive 15% off your first order!  Email Melissa at mmallory@myubah.com or call 912-856-1450 by June 30 to place your order.  In addition, readers who place an order of $40 or more will be able to purchase up to 3 of Usborne’s wonderful customer specials (starting as low as $3) for each $40 you spend. You can view the current catalog by starting here.

To keep up with monthly specials, promotions, book reviews, and more, join Melissa’s Usborne Books and More fanpage by clicking here and/or sign up for her monthly newsletter.

Melissa Mallory, 912-856-1450, email mmallory@myubah.com,  Facebook: Esteem Reading-Usborne Books and More, www.EsteemReading.com Usborne Books & More is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

What better time to have family portraits shot then now when everyone in the family is sporting a summer glow?

You’re in luck.  Savannah photographer LeeAnn Ritch is offering a fabulous summer special: A photography session, online proofing and high-resolution CD for $395 plus tax (Regular cost is $575)!

The Savannah family portrait photographer and mother of two specializes in newborn, baby, child, and family photography. LeeAnn is known for shooting warm, candid portraits like these pictured here.

Check out more of her work by clicking  here.

Click here to book a session. Be sure to mention SouthernMamas to take advantage of the summer special. To follow LeeAnn Ritch’s work and stay updated on her specials, be sure to “like” her Facebook page by clicking here.

 LeeAnn Ritch Photography, 912.308.9327 or email leeann@leeannritchphotography.com , www.leeannritchphotography.com LeeAnn Ritch Photography is a SouthernMamas.com sponsor.

Visit Old Fort Jackson and step into the shoes of the soldiers that were stationed here
during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and the Civil War. Experience what life was like for those soldiers, try on period uniforms, participate in an artillery crew, and watch cannon and musket demonstrations. (912) 651-6823 x3

Fort Pulaski National Monument will celebrate the Nation’s 235th Birthday with special patriotic living history activities throughout Independence Day weekend. Highlights of the three-day weekend will include cannon firings, guided fort tours, and a Civil War baseball game using 19th-century rules and equipment. This year, Fort Pulaski National Monument will partner with the Coastal Heritage Society, who operates Old Fort Jackson, in its annual “Blue vs. Gray” baseball game. Employees and volunteers from Fort Pulaski National Monument and Old Fort Jackson will portray Union and Confederate soldiers, respectively, in an authentic Civil War baseball game. The blue and gray teams represent the two sides of the Civil War, who both occupied Fort Pulaski during different time periods.

An entrance fee of $5 per person is charged; ages 15 and under are free. Call the park at (912) 786-5787 for details, or visit the park’s official website at www.nps.gov/fopu.

Watch the movie Night at the Museum II: Battle of the Smithsonian and experience Savannah history as it comes to life in Savannah History Museum! Ages 4 and up. Advanced Reservations Required by July 20. Parents must attend, spending the night in the museum with their children. Saturday, July 23 at 6:00 p.m. – Sunday, July 24 8:30 a.m. (912) 651-6823 x3 or www.chsgeorgia.org

Day includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence and learning about the 1779 Battle of Savannah. See the exhibit on the battle in the Savannah History Museum, tour the battlefield with a Revolutionary War soldier and see a musket demonstration. Steam train rides and activities continue at the Georgia State Railroad Museum
(912) 651-6823 x3 or www.chsgeorgia.org .

Come and celebrate our Nation’s birthday with civil war troops as they fire special salutes for those who have died so we may be free. Also join us for games of the day and a cool slice of melon. Pack a lunch and enjoy the day. Admission charged. $3.50-$5. (912) 727-2339 or gastateparks.org/FortMcAllister

Join the celebration as 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! You’ll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and all the Disney Princesses. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!
Tickets to on sale August 26, 2011
More info here: www.savannahcivic.com

Discount on Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of
Magic tickets

SOUTHERNMAMAS DISCOUNT: Our readers receive 20% off tickets using code “mamas.” Opening Night and VIP’s are not included. Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic coming to Savannah Civic Center Thu. SEPT. 29 – Sun. OCT. 2 2011. Details here.

Join the celebration as 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! You’ll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and all the Disney Princesses. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!
Tickets to on sale August 26, 2011
More info here: www.savannahcivic.com

During the Great American Weekend and Fantastic Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, historic Savannah Riverfront will feature various activities. July 2nd and 3rd will feature regional artisans, live entertainment, games, contests, food, drink, free family fun, and more! July 4th will feature an incredible fireworks display

Fireworks will be in conjunction with a live, patriotic music simulcast during the fireworks extravaganza. Radio stations 97.3 KISS, 98.7 The River and News Radio 1290 WTKS will all air American Classics in step with the evening’s sky show.

Beat the heat and celebrate Independence Day on Tybee Island. Fireworks show starts at dark launched from the Tybee Pier & Pavilion.

Celebrate family fun on the 4th of July at The Sandbox’s first annual “Pop Goes the Sandbox.”

Festivities include special games and activities both indoors and outdoors. In addition to playing on all the exhibits in the museum, there will be scavenger hunts, games and fun arts & crafts. Decorate holiday cookies and make a patriotic craft. Outside fun includes many carnival games and prizes, bubble fun, snow cones and playing in The Sandbox’s Bounce House.

Enjoy a BBQ picnic with all the fixin’s , and our Nation’s Birthday cake. Lemonade and snow cones to keep you cool.

Tickets: $10 per person (children under 2 are free) and includes admission to the museum, all activities and the picnic. Sandbox Members are $8 per person.

To purchase tickets, stop by or call The Sandbox at 843-842-7645 or e-mail crinehart@thesandbox.org.