Discover the Dinosaurs – a traveling dinosaur show – is coming to Savannah Aug. 3-5 2012.

Discover the Dinosaurs is for the entire family, and especially kids, to explore the mystery of pre-historic life by creating an environment of learning, discovery, and fun.

The hands on exhibit – which will be at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center on Hutchinson Island across from River Street – includes more than 60 animatronic and
museum quality dinosaur replicas. The exhibit showcases museum quality pieces along with several moving animatronic dinosaurs, all in a fun and educational environment.

Kids and families are encouraged to get up close and touch some of the dinosaurs on display, an opportunity which isn’t usually available in museum exhibits and other dinosaur events. This is the cornerstone of Discover the Dinosaurs. In addition to the exhibit, other activities included in admission price are the Dino Dig, Dino Den play area, Dino coloring area, scavenger hunt, and Dino theater.

*Several other attractions including gem & fossil panning, face painting, dinosaur inflatables, mini golf, and Dino rides are available for additional charge.

Discover the Dinosaurs engages the imaginations of kids to learn, gives them the hands on opportunity to touch a dinosaur, actually ride on the back of a T-Rex, and experience other fun activities & attractions that make spending the day with dinosaurs fun for all ages.

Exhibit runs Friday August 3rd 12 PM to 9 PM, Saturday August 4th 10 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday August 5th 10 AM to 7 PM [*Admission: Adults $15, Over 65+ $10, Children 2-12 $10, Under 2 FREE]

For more information, contact artist Carrie Christian at 912-323-0123 or email ScribbleArtStudio@hotmail.com . Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Don’t miss the FREE summer family stargazing event @ The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens : Gazing in the Garden!

The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens in conjunction with the Oglethorpe Astronomical Association invite you to a night of stargazing in the Garden. Saturday, June 23, 2012, Dusk-10 PM. Telescopes will be set up for observation, but you are welcome to bring your own. Free.

Here’s a list of children’s books on astronomy provided by Live Oak Public Libraries & distributed by the Oglethorpe Astronomical Association at the winter gazing in the garden family event at The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens . “Night Sky Atlas” by Robin Seagell
“Astronomy” by Kristen Lippincott
“Black Holes & Other Space Oddities” by Alex Barnett
“Space” by Simon Holland
“The Solar System: An A-Z Guide” by Christina Wilsdon
“Cosmic Light Shows” by Bobbie Kalman & April Fast
“Find the Constellations” by H.A. Rey
“The Stars: A New Way to See Them” by H.A. Rey

This event is free & open to the public. Please enter the gate on US Hwy. 17.

The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, GA. 31419. Please enter the gate on US Hwy. 17. Please call 912-921-5460 for information, http://bamboo.caes.uga.edu/, On Facebook here

A SouthernMamas.com reader & her family were so impressed with the new Savannah Children’s Museum EXPLORATION STATION on the grand opening last Saturday that they are going back again this week!

We can’t wait to check it out.

The Exploration Station is an outdoor venue and water and sunscreen are strongly encouraged.

Exploration Station is a 1 acre, two level, outdoor exhibit area built in the ruins of a Central of Georgia building. Exploration Station’s goals are to connect children with nature, encourage learning through outdoor play emphasizing the importance of daily activity for a healthy lifestyle, and planting the seeds for preservation of historic buildings.

MUSEUM ADMISSION & MEMBERSHIP COSTS
General admission: $7.50 per person, ages 1 and older.

Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Sunday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Savannah Children’s Museum Exploration Station, 655 Louisville Rd, Savannah, GA, 31401. Next to Georgia State Railroad Museum

Water Fun Day in the Park is back on Hilton Head Is.!

This popular event has grown every summer. The first year there was only 3 water fun days then last year there was 5 and now 6 this year. Water Fun days are 4-7 PM Thursdays starting June 28 and concluding August 2. So come to Shelter Cove Park (@ 39 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Is. 29926) this summer for a fun-filled, festive atmosphere where kids can enjoy inflatable water bounce houses and slides while 103.1 The Drive’s morning personality Scott Keith will be playing the tunes.

Admission: $5 per child with adults getting in free.

Barbecue from the Smokehouse, hot dogs from Street Meet, Giuseppi’s pizza, Coca-Cola, Bud and Bud Light will be sold. All proceeds benefit our children’s scholarship fund which helps guarantee that “no child is denied” recreation opportunities.

For more info, contact the Island Recreation Association at (843) 681-7273 or go to www.islandreccenter.org

Win two free tickets to see the Savannah Derby Devils’ two teams take on Myrtle Beach’s All-Stars and B teams for an evening packed with full-contact sports excitement on Sat. June 16 @ Savannah Civic Center.

We’re going to make it easy for you to win this one. To enter to win, answer this question on either Savannah Derby Devils Facebook page here or the SouthernMamas.com Facebook page here. (Be sure to like the page to comment). What is your favorite summer activity? Deadline is 9 PM Wed. June 13. We’ll pick a name on Wednesday, contact the winner via FB & your tickets will be waiting at Will Call.

This family-friendly roller derby event offers two back-to-back bouts, live music, activities for kids, raffles and roller derby merchandise. Kids love to come up and hug the skaters at the end of the night.

Saturday June 16
5pm – Hellions vs. Myrtle Beach
7pm – Savannah Derby Devils All Stars vs. Myrtle Beach
Savannah Civic Center
To purchase tickets call (912) 651-6556 or visit the Savannah Civic Center website at http://savannahcivic.com  and box office. Cost ranges from $2 to $16 per ticket.

Discount tickets are available for children, seniors, students, military and groups of 10 or more. Those who bring at least one canned good item for donation to America’s Second Harvest will also receive $1 off their ticket. The event includes live music from Portman’s New Horizon’s Band, an appearance by the Savannah Junior Roller Derby, activities for kids, games, prizes, raffles and merchandise. Family seating is available. Raffle proceeds will go to America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. Beer and wine will be available.

For more information, visit www.savannahderby.com  or at http://www.facebook.com/savannahderbydevils. For more information (912) 220-9744.

Islands Dance Academy, now in its 21st year of educating young men and women in the art of dance, is the official school of the Savannah Danse Theatre. IDA students have a high rate of success in gaining entry to the Savannah Arts Academy where they shine as some of the top students.

To register or for more info, visit Islands Dance Academy Web site here.

Islands Dance Academy, 115 Charlotte Rd., Savannah (912) 897-2102, http://savannahdance.com/ Islands Dance Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for active summer classes for your little one?

Coach Val’s Tumblegym has just the thing in a safe, air conditioned, bug-free environment! Their experienced staff will keep your little one moving while having a great time.

Coach Val’s Tumblegym provides fun, imaginative exercise programs for children walking through 10 yr olds. Their curriculum integrates physical skill acquisition with social and cognitive learning concepts. Basic gymnastics and tumbling, ball handling skills, strength, balance, and all around coordination activities part of every class.

Children “Build More Than Muscles” through group games, obstacle courses, music activities and more.

Testimonial:
“Coach Val,
You’re doing a WONDERFUL job with the kids! I did a lot of gymnastics and music classes with my boys when they were little, and your class is by far the best one I’ve seen. You do a great job of engaging the little ones while throwing in plenty of creative learning exercises. Ella absolutely loves the class, and I agree, she’s gained lots of skills in a short time!”
– Misty H. from Savannah

Please “like” Coach Val’s Tumblegym on Facebook here to keep up with latest news and specials.

Gift Certificates available: What great way for grandparents and family members to give child gift that invests in child’s future and development.

Classes available this summer:
Wiggle Worms: 30min classes ages walking – 2yrs
This “Parent and Me class” is designed to incorporate the earliest aspects of physical fitness, enhance fine and gross motor skills, body awareness, and muscle coordination while promoting physical, mental and social development. Music, basic gymnastics movements, and games create a fun and healthy atmosphere for you and your child.

Grasshoppers: 45 min classes ages 2-3yrs
This toddler class is open to children who enjoy having parents close by and are ready to learn to follow instructions from another adult. We ask parent/guardian to assist until their child is ready to participate on their own. This class continues to enhance your child’s fine and gross motor skills, social skills, strength and coordination through the activities and obstacle courses that emphasize eye-hand coordination, climbing, hanging, jumping, running, and rolling in a fun and safe environment.

Bumble Bees : 60 min classes ages 3-4yrs
This class continues to enhance and challenge your child’s physical, social and cognitive development. Basic tumbling and gymnastics skills, ball handling skills and preschool concepts are taught. Group activities, teamwork, and fun theme-based curriculum keep your child engaged and excited to participate.

See website here for schedule and rates. Registration online available by clicking here.

Additional Programs Available for Summer (see website here for details)
Cartwheel basics: ages 5-8yr olds. Skills, drills, and strengthening to learn how to do a cartwheel! (Several other basic tumbling skills will also be practiced)
Sport Readiness Training: ages 6-10yr olds. This class is a perfect opportunity for your child to increase strength, speed and agility with this age-appropriate circuit training course. Ideal for kids who play (or want to join) football, soccer, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, and baseball.
Inclusion class: Adult, child with special needs (ages 5 – 10), and siblings – Contact for more information.

FREE TRIAL CLASSES available. Unsure your child will participate? Want to see Coach Val in action before you commit to class time? Fill out our free trial form here and try out a class at no cost.

Mention you saw on SouthernMamas.com site, and annual registration fee of $25 will be waived. New customers – register with a friend and both receive additional $10 off class or camp.

Coach Val’s Tumblegym, 310 Johnny Mercer Blvd in the Wilmington Island Shopping Center (with Dollar Tree, Ace Hardware, and Goodwill) Tel: 912-268-6003, www.coachvals.com, On Facebook here. Coach Val’s Tumblegym is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

We are loving the online reading logs that are new to Live Oak Public Libraries Summer Reading Program.
Kids create a quick online profile – which can include their photo – and keep track of the book titles they’ve read this summer – which they will need to get their free book from Barnes & Noble. Just go to the Dream Big Zone here.

If you haven’t signed up your kids for the library’s Dream Big: Read! Summer Reading Program, be sure to do so. This year’s grand prize is a trip to Disney World for a family of four, including Amtrak gift card and hotel! Stop by any library to sign up and start reading!

If Disney isn’t incentive enough to sign up, how about the chance to win college savings?

The Path2College 529 Plan will award one Georgia student, 16 years and under, who participates in the Summer Reading Program with $5,529 toward a Path2College 529 Plan account.
Entries must be submitted online by July 31, 2012. Details about the sweepstakes, including the official rules and the online entry form can be found at http://www.path2college529.com/news/reading.shtml .

TUBBY’S TANK HOUSE TO HOST SPECIAL MOM’S LEMONADE FUNDRAISER

SPLASHDOWN – THROWDOWN Event on Thursday, June 14th

Tubby’s Tank House in Thunderbolt will join the fight against Ovarian Cancer by hosting a special fundraiser for Mom’s Lemonade Fund during its weekly Sunset Celebration on Thursday, June 14th.

In addition to live music, specialty drinks, and surprises, the event will feature a dunking booth contest. Proceeds from sales of Mom’s Special Lemonade drinks and the dunking booth will benefit the local charity.

Mom’s Lemonade Fund is a Savannah-based, not-for-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer, assists with local patients’ emotional and medical needs by providing medical equipment, funds for research and programming services, education, as well as comfort care items to patients, their families and caregivers battling the disease.

The organization was created in 2009 by the families of Mary Anne Feist Mahfet and Ellen McAlpin Hogan, both victims of ovarian cancer, and both well known for their positive, uplifting outlook on life. Their mutual attribute of looking on the brighter side, or “taking lemons and making lemonade,” lent itself to the most appropriate name to honor their memory: Mom’s Lemonade Fund.

The event serves as a prelude to the organization’s principal fundraiser, Laughs for Lemonade, an evening of standup comedy to be held Saturday, June 23rd at Savannah’s Lucas Theatre.

Nationally recognized stand-up comic Greg Warren, recently seen on “Comedy Central Presents,” “The Late Late Show” and “Last Comic Standing,” will headline the organization’s third annual fundraising event which promises to be a great night of laughter and fun for a great local cause.

Tickets to Laughs for Lemonade range in price from $20 to $100. VIP tickets ($100) include meet and greet access to the post-performance party. Additional tickets are available at $50 for reserved front orchestra seating, $35 for rear orchestra seating and $20 for balcony seating.

Admission to Tubby’s Tank House’s Special Splashdown-Throwdown event is free. Tickets to the June 23rd comedy show are available at the Lucas Theatre / SCAD Box office or online at scadboxoffice.com.

June 16 – Savannah vs. Myrtle Beach
Saturday
5pm – Hellions vs. Myrtle Beach
7pm – Savannah Derby Devils All Stars vs. Myrtle Beach
Savannah Civic Center
This family-friendly event offers two back-to-back bouts, live music, activities for kids, raffles and roller derby merchandise. Kids love to come up and hug the skaters at the end of the night.
To purchase tickets call (912) 651-6556 or visit the Savannah Civic Center website at http://savannahcivic.com and box office. Cost ranges from $2 to $16 per ticket.

Discount tickets are available for children, seniors, students, military and groups of 10 or more. Those who bring at least one canned good item for donation to America’s Second Harvest will also receive $1 off their ticket. The event includes live music from Portman’s New Horizon’s Band, an appearance by the Savannah Junior Roller Derby, activities for kids, games, prizes, raffles and merchandise. Family seating is available. Raffle proceeds will go to America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. Beer and wine will be available.

For more information, visit savannahderby.com or at facebook.com/savannahderbydevils. For more information (912) 220-9744.

To register or for more info, call 912-665-4199 or click here.

Ganesha’s Place, at the corner of Barnard & 40th St. @ 2323 Barnard St., 912-665-4199, http://ganeshasplace.com/ Ganesha’s Place is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

When you buy tickets for the June 13 Savannah Sand Gnats game from local Goodwill retail locations, Goodwill gets funds to help local programs that serve our area. Goodwill retail locations in Savannah, Pooler and Richmond Hill will be selling discounted tickets to the June 13 Savannah Sand Gnats game for $5 to generate funding for local programs that serve our area. No limits on number of tickets purchased. To purchase tickets for Goodwill’s Pack the Park Night, please call (912) 354-6611 ext. 107.

The first 200 children ages 12 and under only at Grayson Stadium will get a free Webkinz. The park opens at 6 p.m. and game time is 7:05 p.m. The Sand Gnats will play the Charleston, S.C. RiverDogs. In addition, the Sand Gnats will donate 50 cents for every person who enters Grayson Stadium June 13 with a ticket purchased through Goodwill. If Goodwill sells 1,000 tickets and those 1,000 people come to the game, the Sand Gnats will donate an additional $500.

Pack the Park for Charity is the Sand Gnats’ way of helping organizations generate revenue through the purchase and sale of discounted tickets.

www.goodwillsavannah.org .

Coach Val’s Tumblegym on Wilmington Is. is offering summer mini-camps for ages 4-7 years old. Call 912-268-6003 or email val@coachvals.com.

Summer mini-camps at Coach Val’s Tumblegym, Wilmington Is.
For ages 4-7 years old
Time: 9 AM-noon (early drop-off & late pick-up available)
3 day option (MWF) & 2 day (Mon & Wed)option available
Click here for more info & see below.

Coach Val's Tumblegym mini camps, Wilmington Island

Coach Val’s Tumblegym, 310 Johnny Mercer Blvd in the Wilmington Island Shopping Center (with Dollar Tree, Ace Hardware, and Goodwill) Tel: 912-268-6003, www.coachvals.com, On Facebook here. Coach Val’s Tumblegym is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Ganesha’s Place, Savannah’s new therapeutic yoga studio offers the following June workshops:

Dream Circle Workshop
Come and learn to by-pass the chatter around core issues which occur in your dreams.
Understand the language of your dreams.
Discover what recurring dreams mean.
Join Kate Jacobson RYT, LISW-CP
Ganesha’s Place
2323 Barnard St. Savannah
Saturday, June 23, 2012 – 1-3:30pm
$25
Kate@ganeshasplace.com to register

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).

Pint-Size Polkas
Accordian player and children’s polka musician Mike Schneider presents this educational program filled with music, dancing, audience participation and sing-alongs. All ages.

Pooler Library, Monday, June 18, 10:30 a.m.
Bull Street Library, Monday, June 18, 1 p.m.
W. W. Law Library, Monday, June 18, 3 p.m.
Oglethorpe Mall Library, Monday, June 18, 6 p.m.
Thunderbolt Library, Tuesday, June 19, 11 a.m.
Tybee Library, Tuesday, June 19, 1 p.m.
Islands Library, Tuesday, June 19, 3 p.m.
Southwest Chatham Library, Tuesday, June 19, 6 p.m.
West Broad Library, Wednesday, June 20, 10:30 a.m.
Carnegie Library, Wednesday, June 20, 1 p.m.
Rincon Library, Wednesday, June 20, 4 p.m.
Hinesville Library, Thursday, June 21, 10 a.m.

Bunny Lune Dreams of the Moon
In Japan they don’t see a Man in the Moon. They see Bunnies in the Moon! Children will hear the story “Bunny Lune” by Kae Nishimura, learn about Japan, sing songs, and participate in a bunny moon dance. Ages 4-9.
Pooler Library, Tuesday, July 31, 2 p.m.
Port City Library, Tuesday, July 31, 10:30 a.m.
Carnegie Library, Tuesday, August 7, 10:30 a.m.

Campout at the Library

Gather around the “campfire” to sing some classic camp songs, hear a few stories, and learn how to tie a few knots. Ages 6-9.
Carnegie Library, Monday, July 30, 10:30 a.m.
Bull Street Library, Monday, July 30, 2:30 p.m.
Port City Library, Tuesday, August 7, 10:30 a.m.

Big Dreams and Moon Beams” Puppet Show
The moon is a magical place! Journey there and back on a rocketship full of adventure with this imaginative puppet show. Ages 3 and up.

Thunderbolt Library, Thursday, June 28, 11 a.m.
Islands Library, Thursday, June 28, 3 p.m.
Springfield, Thursday, July 5, 2:30 p.m.
Southwest Chatham Library, Thursday, July 12, 2 p.m.
Pooler Library, Wednesday, July 18, 10:30 a.m.
W. W. Law Library, Friday, July 27, 10:30 a.m.
Rincon, Wednesday, August 1, 2:30 p.m.
Oglethorpe Mall Library, Thursday, August 2, 10:30 a.m.

Juneteenth is the celebration of the commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Considered to be June 19, Juneteenth is the oldest celebrated remembrance of African American Emanicipation day and is often celebrated with acknowledgements, speakers and events. Telfair Museums’ 5th annual JUNETEENTH Celebration will include acclaimed author Beverly Jenkins, a concert of traditional music and percussion by David Pleasant and a Gullah Geechee day with programs and demonstrations by local artists.

JUNETEENTH Celebrations include:

Saturday, June 23 – Juneteenth at the Jepson featuring performers, storytellers and art activities
12 – 3pm / Jepson Center
Area performers, storytellers and art activities related to the Geechee-Gullah culture and inviting the participation of neighborhood associations including Cuyler-Brownsville, Tatemville and the communities of Sandfly and Pinpoint.
Jamal Toure, a griot or living historian, is founder of The African Spirits of Day Clean -an organization dedicated to preserving the history and culture of African Americans. Toure will present a living history exhibit based on the Geechee-Gullah culture.

Louise Cohen , a fifth generation native Hilton Head Islander, is a captivating storyteller and speaker of Gullah—a language she grew up speaking. As rooted as she always was on this history-rich sea isle, with its gentle beaches and sanctuaries of oak forest that echo with the praise of her ancestors, Louise found that something was missing. It has become Louise’s mission to tell the stories of her people.
Culture Music by DJ Shaka Zulu, a Reggae DJ heard weekly on WHCJ Radio.

All Juneteenth events are FREE and open to the public, sponsored by the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs.

Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W York St, Savannah, 31401, http://telfair.org/jepson/ Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

To register or for more info, call 912-665-4199 or click here.

Ganesha’s Place, at the corner of Barnard & 40th St. @ 2323 Barnard St., 912-665-4199, http://ganeshasplace.com/ Ganesha’s Place is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser