UPDATE: Winner is Jamie Bouchard!

Start the 2011-12 school year off right with a clean house! This week’s SouthernMamas.com giveaway: three hours of maid service from Hubbard’s Maid Service in Savannah & the Lowcountry, your go-to company for a spotless cleaning job done by responsible crews you can trust.

The Leukemia Cup “Run for Jane,” is a 5K Run/Walk and Kids Run held in conjunction with the 2011 St. Joseph’s/Candler Leukemia Cup Regatta Weekend of Events. It is named in honor of Dr Jane Philbrick, who is well
described by Mr Paul Hinchey as being a, “very well known educator here in Savannah and a strong
community supporter. She was a remarkable person, a consummate professional and had a heart of gold.”

Opportunities to receive a $100 Fleet Feet Gift Card and more great prizes are available to those participants who choose to individually fundraise for the “Run for Jane”. The Leukemia Cup is a community coming together through a series of sporting events to help fight leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers and includes; a 5k Run/Walk, golf, junior fishing, in-shore fishing, tennis, sailing and the Spirit of the Sea black-tie dinner & auction. In 1997, The Leukemia Cup began as a Sailing Regatta and has since emerged as a premier series of sporting events benefitting the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

 “Run for Jane” will be held at the historic Fort Pulaski. It is a beautiful trail run in and out of the woods around the Fort and by the river. The Event would not be complete without our National Anthem and the cannons firing by the soldiers in their historic regalia.

When: “Run for Jane” is Labor Day Weekend, Saturday September 3, 2011. The Packet pick up will be available at Fleet Feet Friday September 2, 2011. Registration will be available online at www.active.com . Dates for the 2011 Leukemia Cup Regatta Weekend of Events are September 19, 23-25.

Why: To save lives.

The St. Joseph’s/Candler Leukemia Cup Regatta will generously benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. We support the relentless pursuit of the mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The money raised at the event will go towards critical research to increase the survival rates of the 912,938 Americans who are now living with leukemia, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma.

How: Registration is available online at www.active.com  for the 5k Event.

For more information please visit www.leukemiacup.org/ga

Based on the Telfair Museums exhibitions and collections, each monthly Family Art Lab begins with discussion & discovery in the gallery & culminates with a take home art project in the education studio.

▪ 10:30AM—12PM First Saturday of the month

▪ AGES 5-9 & PARENTS OR GUARDIANS

▪ ADMISSION IS FREE, BUT PLEASE ARRIVE PRIOR TO 10:30AM AS SPACE IS LIMITED.

Fall Monthly Themes include:

SEPT. 3: WILD WATERCOLORS

Oct. 1: SUPER MESSY PAINTING & SHAPED SURFACES

NOV. 12: SATURDAY POTTERY & POEMS

DEC. 3: THE COLLAGE FAMILY

Registration required. Call 912.790.8823 or email bradleyk@telfair.org to register or for more info. All classes & times subject to change. More info here.

Interested in more local children’s art classes? Visit the SouthernMamas.com Children’s Art Classes page by clicking here

September will be here soon. And September in Savannah means the return of the Savannah Ocean Exchange Public Exchange activities.

SouthernMamas.com has the 411 on all the Savannah Ocean Exchange activities specifically geared toward families and children including:
Boat Building workshop for adults and children;
“Sailabrate the Sea” Savannah Ocean Exchange Boat Parade (FREE);
“Oh Say Can You Sea Savannah” Children’s Ocean Art & Music events;
Gray’s Reef Ocean Children’s Film Festival: National Geographic short films specifically chosen for children (FREE);
Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Ocean Experience at Lazaretto Creek (FREE);
Family Pond Yacht Workshop & Regatta.

Many of the events are free. For details & locations of all those kid-friendly activities and more, visit the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Activities page by clicking here.

Chatham Orthopaedic Associates is pleased to announce that the Dancing Docs are back with their sponsorship of the 4th Annual Ballroom Extravaganza.

Proceeds benefit HUGS, which provides counseling and vocational training for disadvantaged youth & adults in the Savannah community. Dancing for HUGS this year will be Dr. Sandra Bohnstengel & Alonzo Boschulte. Local physicians & medical professionals will compete to raise money for their favorite good cause. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase votes for their favorite couple’s routine. Links to all participating charities can be found at www.southmagazine.com .

Funds earned for HUGS from this event will go directly to providing counseling and vocational training for disadvantaged youth and adults in the Savannah community.

The formal event will include dinner, live entertainment from the Rogues, a silent auction & the popular “Dancing with the Doc’s” competition. 60% of every ticket purchased will go directly to the charity chosen by the purchaser. Guests will walk the Red Carpet into the ballroom. Prizes will be awarded for Best Dressed Male and Best Dressed Female.

Sat Sept. 17, 2011 6-11 PM at The Savannah Marriott, 100 General McIntosh Blvd.

$100 per person. Tables of 10 are available for $1,000. Must be 21 to attend. Your generous support is Tax Deductible.

Several Sponsorship levels are available. Contact Jeri Gale at 912-657-57540 or Garlana Mathews at 667-0441 about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets. Major Sponsors are: WJCL abc; South Magazine; Costner Law Group; Chatham Orthopaedic Associates, P.A

Smart Women’s Expo & Luncheon. Guest speaker is Giuliana Rancic with E! News and Fashion Police.http://www.sjchs.org/smartwomenexpoluncheon

10:00 a.m. – Expo
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
12:30 p.m. – Speaker Giuliana Rancic

Tickets are $50 per person or $500 for a table of ten. For more information, contact St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations at 912-819-8683 or buy your tickets online.

This year marks the ninth Smart Women Luncheon & Expo, an annual fundraiser for St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital, which includes the Telfair Pavilion that provides mammography, the Telfair BirthPlace, the Children’s Place and all Women’s Services at St. Joseph’s/Candler.

The Latin American Services Organization (LASO) announces the 6th annual Fiesta Latina, a festival that will feature Latin American culture with more than a dozen free live performances.

Performances will showcase a variety of Latino cultures through folkloric song and dance, as well as music ranging from salsa to reggaeton. The festival will be an event for the whole family, featuring a talent show, live art demonstrations, cultural and informational booths, as well as face painting and kid-friendly events. There will also be vendors selling food from cultures as diverse as Mexico, Puerto Rico and Brazil.

Free & open to the public.

For more info, visit www.savannahga.gov/arts . On facebook: LASO of Savannah. Call (912) 238-2032.

Live Performances Include: Orquesta con Clase * Iraida Valdivia * Grupo Kachimbo * Fusion Latina * Diego Val * Perico Orgullo Panameño * Miss Lucia * Tradición Latina * El Gordo Magico * Son Del Coqui *

You want to do your part to help improve our local schools. But you don’t always have the childcare or time to take away from your own kids to do so. In2Books is a way to do volunteer outreach from your own home.

In2Books is an innovative eMentoring program that connects caring adults with students grades 3-5 to enhance their reading, thinking and writing skills by reading books and exchanging online letters about the books.

Savannah is the largest implementation of In2Books nationwide.

The program pairs volunteer pen pals with Savannah-Chatham public elementary school students. Over the course of the school year, the students and their pen pals read five books together, exchanging six letters (emails). The letters reinforce writing skills and foster a conversation that facilitates a greater understanding of each book.

In2Books is looking for approximately 260 more pen pals for the 2011-2012 school year in the Savannah-Chatham County public school system.

To sign up to be a pen pal, go to www.in2books.com. Select and/or write in Savannah for geography.

Children’s art exhibit, sea critters, art classes & music—celebrate our oceans. Exhibit is Free/Fee for Classes

The creativity of Savannah’s children honoring our Ocean is on display in the historic Tybee Post Theater &  includes ocean creatures and underwater scenery. Exhibit & Watch Tanks
Open 4pm – 8pm Sept. 23; 9 AM-6 PM Sept. 24; 10 AM-4 PM Sept. 25.

Children’s Art Class (1 hour, $10) at 9:30am & 11am Sat. Sept. 24. Savannah’s Children’s Choir Performance & Member’s Reception at 5PM (soft drinks only) Sat. Sept. 24.

Part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange.

For more kid-friendly activities that are part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange month-long celebration in September 2011, visit the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Activities page here.

Interested in more local children’s art classes? Visit the SouthernMamas.com Children’s Art Classes page by clicking here

Children (younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult) are invited to build their own pond yacht models and race them in a regatta. Reservations & Fees: 912-232-1511 www.shipsofthesea.org

Part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange. For more kid-friendly activities that are part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange month-long celebration in September 2011, visit the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Activities page here.

Bring the family out to Lazaretto Creek to learn about shrimpers, have fun on the water, & grab a meal at one of the great dockside restaurants. Free Admission, meal not included.

Part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange.

For more kid-friendly activities that are part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange month-long celebration in September 2011, visit the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Activities page here.

Children’s Films 10AM, 1PM & 3PM

Short films from the archives of National Geographic that are especially oriented for children, screened in three,two‐hour sessions. Free Admission.

Part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange month-long celebration in September 2011.

For more kid-friendly activities that are part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange month-long celebration in September 2011, visit the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Activities page here.

Join the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health to clean up unwanted trash on Tybee Island’s beautiful beach.
Free Admission. Part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange.

For more kid-friendly activities that are part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange month-long celebration in September 2011, visit the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Activities page here.

10 AM Sat. Sept. 17.
Savannah Yacht Club on Wilmington Island to Thunderbolt. Join the Savannah Ocean Exchange to Sailabrate the Sea with the Savannah Ocean
Exchange’s first annual public Parade of Boats! Free Admission.

For more kid-friendly activities that are part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange month-long celebration in September 2011, visit the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Activities page here.

A two‐day boatbuilding‐from‐kit workshop. Part of Savannah Ocean Exchange 2011
Cost: $40. Fee per adult + one child.
Reservations: 912­‐232­‐1511
www.shipsofthesea.org

For more kid-friendly activities that are part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange month-long celebration in September 2011, visit the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Ocean Exchange Family Activities page here.

The Rincon MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group will have their annual sign-up. MOPS offers fellowship and encouragement to mothers of children ages birth through kindergarten. Annual membership dues are $23.95. Bring your kids with you; snacks and drinks will be provided. For more info. call Esther at 826-0455.

Looking for a MOPS group in your area? Check out the SouthernMamas.com “Connect with Moms” page here , which lists local MOPS groups and other moms groups. Most moms group resume meetings again when school starts. To have your moms group added to the list or to updated meeting details, please email the info to anne@southernmamas.com.

PROGRESSIVE, AFFORDABLE, DIVERSE ENROLLING NOW!

For children 6 weeks-4 years

FREE registration for SouthernMamas.com readers!

Among the many things that makes mama frantic, the quest for quality childcare trumps all.

Trying to find an affordable Savannah early learning center that fits your progressive tastes and provides a nurturing and diverse environment is tough.

Set in Midtown Savannah, BEST Academy enrolls children from Infants to 4 years old. Their creative approach to learning and playing brings something unique to childcare in Savannah. The Children at BEST receive the benefit of
having highly-qualified and enthusiastic teachers who keep children engaged with hands on lessons and innovative teaching.

There is art, yoga, and Ms. Amy’s School of Music provides musical fun and child-led instrument jams.

BEST Academy is proud of their all vegetarian menu. Each spring and fall they plant their own organic garden, with the kids lending a hand. Healthy eating produces healthy kids!

They encourage the kids to learn while doing. And, after lots of learning, the 12,000 square-foot playground gives kids plenty of room to do what kids do best – play.

BEST currently has openings for the fall and they welcome new families. BEST is happy to work with parents looking for part-time or flexible schedules.

Feel free to visit, meet the staff and see BEST in action.

BEST Academy, 1010 E. Duffy St. at the corner of Waters Avenue, 912.335-7123 or email best.academy1@gmail.com www.thebestacademy.net BEST Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

The Leukemia Cup “Run for Jane,” is a 5K Run/Walk & Kids Run held in conjunction with the 2011 St. Joseph’s/Candler Leukemia Cup Regatta Weekend of Events. It is named in honor of Dr Jane Philbrick, a well-known Savannah educator & community supporter.

Opportunities to receive a $100 Fleet Feet Gift Card and more great prizes are available to those participants who choose to individually fundraise for the “Run for Jane”. The Leukemia Cup is a community coming together through a series of sporting events to help fight leukemia, lymphoma & other blood cancers & includes; a 5K Run/Walk, golf, junior fishing, in-shore fishing, tennis, sailing and the Spirit of the Sea black-tie dinner & auction. The sporting events benefit the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“Run for Jane” will be at the historic Fort Pulaski, on a beautiful trail run in and out of the woods around the Fort and by the river. It will include the National Anthem & cannons firing by the soldiers in their historic regalia.

“Run for Jane” is Labor Day Weekend, Sat. Sept. 3, 2011. The Packet pick up will be available at Fleet Feet Friday September 2, 2011. Registration will be available online at www.active.com . Dates for the 2011 Leukemia Cup Regatta Weekend of Events are September 19, 23-25.

The St. Joseph’s/Candler Leukemia Cup Regatta will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Money raised at the event will go towards critical research to increase the survival rates of the 912,938 Americans who are now living with leukemia, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma.

Registration is available online at www.active.com  for the 5k Event.

For more information please visit www.leukemiacup.org/ga

Keep your little ones cozy and save a few dollars in the process by having Savannah Insulation blow cellulose in to your attic or walls.

Making sure your home is properly insulated will help keep it cozy and comfortable all year round. And in the process put less strain on your air handler and in turn go easy on your wallet.

Using Cellulose insulation shows you care about the future. It is made from 85% recycled materials, using sustainable products. Combine that with the saving on utilities and you will be reducing your carbon footprint.

For more information on cellulose insulation, please go to www.savannahinsulation.com

For an exact quote, please call David on 912.247.8889

Savannah Insulation also offer energy audits. For details, click here.

Savannah Insulation, www.savannahinsulation.com/, 912.247.8889, On Facebook here, Savannah Insulation is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Free Family Movie Night on Tybee Island. 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19. Popcorn provided. Bring lawn chairs & drinks. Movie: “Toy Story 3”. Rated: G. Open to the public.

The party is over. School days are already here for some and coming soon for others.

Time to get back to a schedule. That means signing up your kids for music, dance, art, soccer, gymnastics, swim lessons or swim teams or all of the above.

SouthernMamas.com now lists Children’s Fall 2011 Classes/Sports in one easily accessible spot. Just go to Fall 2011 Classes/Sports at the top of our main page under the SouthernMamas.com logo and you will seen the drop-down menu for Children’s Art Classes; Children’s Music Classes; Children’s Dance Classes; and Children’s Sports. Those categories are also now listed in the left sidebar under Pages.  Lots of fun children’s programs out there.  So start registering & happy almost Fall.

Art on the Park Fall children’s classes start the week of Sept 12. Art on the Park is conveniently located on Washington Avenue off Daffin Park! Check out the fall schedule by clicking here Mention SouthernMamas.com and receive $10 off! Small classes- 6 student limit.

Last minute deal for Southernmamas readers! Buy one, get 1/2 off enrollment fee for early-fall classes. You can share this deal with your friends! Classes start next week!

Email Art on the Park & mention Southernmamas to receive this great deal on group art classes. A few spots remain open in the following two classes:
Creative Crafting for Girls: A Fine-Arts take on Craft-Making
For Ages 6-8.
Thursdays, 4-515pm. Starting September 15th
and
Upper-Elementary Drawing- Drawing Techniques
For Ages 9-11.
Wednesdays- 4-515pm- Starting September 14th

Email tskart@yahoo.com  for more class options!

More details here.

Check out the Fall Art on the Park Class roster!

Mention SouthernMamas.com and receive $10 off!
NEW Reduced affordable class prices! For prices and detailed curriculum, please contact tskart@yahoo.com

Art on the Park Classes
FALL-2011. All classes start the week of Sept 12.
Art on the Park: Conveniently located on Washington Avenue off Daffin Park!

Michelangelo to Magritte- Art-(History)-Making with a Twist! For ages 5-7.
Tuesdays: 415-530pm
Learn about new* famous artists in this educational and fun fine arts class! Each class will feature a new artist and/or technique to captivate your creative child. Complete curriculum provided upon registration . All materials included. *Studied artists are not repeated from 2010-2011 school year.

Upper-Elementary Drawing- Drawing Techniques for Ages 9-11.
Wednesdays: 4-515pm
Drawing is the foundation to any fine art focus. This Fall, we will concentrate on perspective, composition, and mark-making. This is a great class for those interested in applying to local art magnet schools. Winter & Spring sessions will provide deeper focus and new techniques, however it’s recommended to take this class as a basis. Private portfolio development is also offered for an additional cost.

Portfolio Drawing (Fall)- For Ages 12-14
Wednesdays: 615-715pm
Drawing is the foundation to any fine art focus. This Fall, we will concentrate on still-life drawing. This is a great class for those interested in applying to local art magnet schools. Winter & Spring sessions will provide deeper focus and new techniques, however it’s recommended to take this class as a basis. Private portfolio development is also offered for an additional cost.

Creative Crafting for Girls- A Fine-Arts take on Craft-Making for Ages 6-8.
Thursdays: 4-515pm
Let’s face it- crafting is part of the creative process! If you know me well, you know I can’t stray too far from teaching strong foundational values in fine arts- so I will be sure to infuse the fun with teachings about these craft origins and place in art history. Decoupage, beading, and much more! Complete curriculum provided upon registration . All materials included.

Classes taught by Torrey S. Kist, MFA
Formerly with the Telfair education department, Torrey is young local artist with a professional background in teaching & designing quality curriculum for Savannah’s public & private school systems. She has developed programs for toddlers, elementary & high school students, adults & seniors, as well as for special needs audiences. She received a MFA in painting from SCAD & has exhibited in numerous galleries. She has been nationally published in “New American Paintings” & exhibits locally at kobo gallery. To be a successful artist, technique is important, but creativity is key. Torrey creates a balanced curriculum between teaching foundational skills & allowing students to be explorative- providing a crucial outlet where creativity & expression are fostered.

Small classes- 6 student limit. Register today! tskart@yahoo.com, 912.354.5988

Art on the Park Studio: Situated directly on Daffin Park, the studio is a great place to spread out, get messy, and take play breaks if needed. Art on the Park Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Music with Mar. is for children ages 6 months-6 years old and a parent/caregiver.  Savannah classes are taught by Carlyle Dorroh, a warm and personable mother-of-three with a BA in psychology, Masters in Education and over 12 years in the field of education as a teacher and school director/principal.