Kindermusik in Savannah announces brand new themes for May classes:
For ages 0 & 1: “Mama Goose.” meets Mondays at 9:30am.
For ages 2 & 3:  “Colors and Shapes on the Farm,” meets Mondays at 10:20am.

Next Monday April 28 is the last week for April’s classes, so it’s a perfect time to come for a free trial class with your child! To attend a free visit with your child, please email music@88keysga.com or call 912-988-KEYS (5397). For more information about Kindermusik, visit their website at www.88keysga.com , then click on the Kindermusik link.

Kindermusik Savannah, email music@88keysga.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397), www.88keysga.com then click on Kindermusik link. Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Sunday, April 27, 2014
5 to 7 pm

At the usual height of the strawberry-picking season, join Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah for this 20th annual traditional Sunday supper at the Lakeside Pavilion.

The meal culminates with a fresh strawberry shortcake dessert from fruits harvested from the field at CGBG. This year’s supper is by Chef Nick Mueller. Silent auction tables offer a wide array of items, and all proceeds benefit the Friends of the Coastal Gardens — the non-profit supporter of the expansion efforts at the botanical gardens. Cost is $30 per person, $15 per child age 12 and under.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (Formerly 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

View elaborately created sand castle designs, sand sculptures & sand reliefs.

FREE Sand Arts Festival
9:30 AM- 4 PM May 2 2014
Tybee Is., Ga
North Beach, near Tybee Lighthouse
30 Meddin Drive

The public is invited to enjoy the Sand Arts Festival but the competition is limited to SCAD students, alumni, staff and faculty. This year, high school students will have the opportunity to compete in teams, as well as take a tour of the campus. Details here on how high school students can register.

The annual Sand Arts Festival, presented by the School of Fine Arts, School of Foundation Studies and sculpture minor program, features competitions in sand castle design, sand sculpture, sand relief and wind sculpture.

SCAD professors and staff members judge the competitions.

Rain date: TBD.

FOR MORE FREE SPRING 2014 KIDS’ EVENTS IN THE SAVANNAH AREA, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss the South’s largest water fight: Tybee’s annual Beach Bum Parade.

Parade floats will be filled with water-throwing paraphernalia as spectators line up along Butler Avenue armed with buckets of water, squirt guns and hoses ready for battle. This event is an all-out water war for fun-loving beach bums of all ages. FREE & open to the public.

Tybee Beach Bum Parade
May 16, 2014
6:30-7:30 PM
Butler Avenue

Admission: Free
Phone: 912.786.5444
More info here. 

You’re invited to bring your kids to watch a free competition for Savannah area high school student teams to design and build a self-propelled hovercraft

FREE Hovercraft Competition
Armstrong Atlantic State University
April 26, 2014 1-4pm

1:50pm-2:15 pm Hovercraft weigh in P3 Parking Lot
2:20pm-2:45pm Sprint competition P3 Parking Lot
2:50pm-3:25pm Maneuvering Competition P3 Parking Lot

2014 Engineering Design Challenge: Armstrong Atlantic State University’s Engineering Studies Program will host the 2014 Engineering Design Challenge, which will showcase the ingenuity and creativity of students from Johnson High School, Beach High School, Savannah High School, Savannah Early College and Savannah Christian Preparatory School.

Each team, comprised of four to six students, has designed and built a self-propelled hovercraft with the assistance of a project mentor and Armstrong students. The final competition will include a 40-meter race, a timed maneuver course and a design poster presentation with an engineering journal evaluation. Engineers from Gulfstream and other local companies will evaluate and select the winning design. The winning team will receive a $500 cash prize. For more information, please click here 

The PTAs for Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, Garrison Elementary, Jacob G. Smith Elementary & Heard Elementary along with SouthernMamas.com are sponsoring a non-partisan forum for candidates running in the May 20, 2014 election for President of the Savannah Chatham County School Board.

All 5 candidates have confirmed participation: Sadie C. Brown, Jolene Byrne, Chester A. Ellis, George Seaborough, Dave Simons.

Come & hear where the candidates stand on issues that directly affect our children’s lives.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014
6:30-8 PM
Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance
5111 Abercorn St. Savannah, Ga.31405
Details here.

FREE & open to the public.
FREE childcare will be available with RSVP by Monday, May 5th to Jennifer Rich at 912-355-8111 or programming@savj.org

April 21 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 20 Savannah-Chatham school board president election. Click here to register to vote or update your registration.

MORE PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT CANDIDATE FORUMS:

• 6 PM Wed. April 23: Downtown Neighborhood Association Debate at the Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm St.
• 6 PM Tues. April 29: Junior League of Savannah Debate at the Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm St.
• 6:30 PM Wed. May 7: PTA/Southernmamas.com Forum at the Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St.

Come out to fly a kite to support and create awareness about Parkinson’s and other movement disorders. Tybee Island will host the 3rd Annual Tybee Island Kite Festival to benefit movement disorders on April 27. Open to the public!

In honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, The Savannah Parkinson’s Support Group and North Beach Bar & Grill welcomes the community to participate in the 3rd Annual Tybee Island Kite Festival to help raise awareness for Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders. Participants will enjoy a fun-filled day at the beach featuring food, fun, art, kite flying and music provided by “The Band with No Name.” Students of Savannah Arts Academy will also participate in a fun Kite Design Contest.
WHEN:
Sunday, April 27
11-2 p.m.
WHERE:
Registration is at the North Beach parking lot next to North Beach Bar & Grill entrance.
COST: Registration for the Kite Festival is $10 which includes a kite provided by IntotheWind.com and Gumbo provided by North Beach Bar & Grill. For more information call 912.663.6803 or email krpnova@aol.com or visit Savannah Parkinson’s Support Group on Facebook.

Health Department to Hold Free Eye, Ear, Dental, & Nutrition Screening for School Students

WHO: Chatham County Health Department (Eisenhower location only)
WHAT: Free eye, ear, dental, and nutrition screening for Chatham County School students. (Normally a $30 fee applies when getting the screening at the health department).
WHEN: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Wednesday, April 30 (No appointment necessary).
WHERE: Chatham County Health Department, 1395 Eisenhower Drive

WHY: It has been a requirement for parents to present a completed vision, hearing, and dental screening form (form 3300) to school authorities for children entering a Georgia school for the first time. That is still a requirement; however, the form has been revised to include “nutrition” as a category. The nutrition category measures height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

If a child is going to start school the 2014-2015 (August 2014 and going forward) school year, then they will need the new form, no exceptions. Every child must have a completed form 3300 when entering a Georgia school for the first time, no matter what the grade level (First time means never enrolled in a Georgia school before at any time in their lives).

The Chatham County Health Department wants to help parents beat the back-to-school rush by offering a free screening event on Wednesday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Eisenhower health department location only. Students will be seen on a first come, first served basis.

If parents have had the old form completed in the past three months, they can bring their child in during the screening event to have nutrition portion of the new form added so that it is correct and complete prior to turning it in to school officials.

For additional information, call the Chatham County Health Department at 356-2441.

Our little ones don’t stay little for long, and with only 18 summers to make lifelong memories, what are your plans for this summer?

Maybe a family trip to Walt Disney World? For a limited time you can SAVE UP TO 35% on your resort stay at Disney this summer. This promotion is available at select hotels and stays most nights from June 15 to August 28, 2014. And when you add a minimum 6-day Magic Your Way Ticket to make it a package, you’ll save an extra 5%!

Some 6-day, 5-night packages are as low as $76 per person, per day for a family of 4 at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

Hurry, because booking for this promotion ends on June 5th and availability is limited. Get your no-obligation vacation quote or for more details call 843-284-3241.

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Two Sisters Travel
843.284.3241
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/twosisterstravel

Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Doggie Carnival 2014 — May 4, 2014!

It’s that time of year — time for the 14th Annual Doggie Carnival!

Mark your calendar for a day of fun, food, activities for families and your favorite four-legged pals, Sunday, May 4 from noon-5 PM @ the north end of Forsyth Park.

Click here for more info on this great fundraiser for HSGS.

How can Chiropractic Care help with allergies and sinuses?

Allergy season is here – and millions of Americans are facing months of suffering and living on allergy medicines they’d rather not take. There are , however, a few tricks that work for many people to make allergy season their favorite time of the year.

Consuming a daily tablespoon of local honey is a great trick for allergy sufferers. Since the way this trick works is to slowly expose the body to the pollens the bees collect, it does need to be locally collected and fresh. Check Ranicki Chiropractic Wellness Center’s favorite place to get local honey, Polk’s Plus in Pooler, GA. You can also check out the Farmer’s Market in Forsyth Park on Saturdays.

Since the nervous system influences the immune system’s internal threat alert, improving the communication between your nervous and immune systems thru chiropractic care can be a big help to many allergy sufferers. Details here.

Ranicki Chiropractic Wellness Center, a wellness center at heart located in Pooler & serving greater Savannah, 1147 US Highway 80 West, Pooler, Ga 31322, (912) 376-1506, email: info@RanickiChiropractic.com , www.RanickiChiropractic.com  Ranicki Chiropractic Wellness Center is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

FREE Earth Day Savannah 2014
9 AM-3 PM Forsyth Park

FREE activities include:
All Day: Bouncy Houses, facepainting, crafts, live animals
11 AM- Noon: Printmaking & recycled terrariums with Savannah Children’s Museum
Noon-1 PM: Reptile Exploration with Burton 4-H
1-2 PM: Printmaking & recycled terrariums with Savannah Children’s Museum
2-3 PM: Recycled Wind Chimes with Scribble Art Studio

Festival Schedule:
RecycleRama: 8am-11am
Forsyth Farmers Market: 9am-3pm
Exhibitors, workshops, kids activities, food & music: 11am-3pm
Earth Day Wheelie Bike Ride: 3pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EARTH DAY SAVANNAH 2014, CLICK HERE.

It’s time to get your bird on!

Whether your a veteran birder or a newbie, kick of National Park Week with a free bird walk at Fort Pulaski National Monument. On Saturday, June 21 meet with a member of the Savannah chapter of the National Audubon Society to learn more about the wings of spring on Cockspur Island. There’s no charge for the program. Meet at the park entrance at 8 a.m. for a fascinating walk on the natural history side. More info here.

Fort Pulaski National Monument will be partnering with the Ogeechee Audubon Society, the Savannah chapter of the National Audubon Society, for a series of bird walks inside te park. Every 3rd Saturday, at 8:00 AM, members of this organization will lead bird walks in the park. As the seasons change and birds migrate, there will be the opportunity to see new and different birds. Interested birders can meet a member of the Ogeechee Audubon Society near the park’s Entrance Station at 8:00 AM. We will be on the lookout for marsh sparrows, shorebirds, and sedge wrens. At 9:00 AM, the bird walk will move through the park. These special programs will be offered each month at no charge. No reservations are necessary.

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ ACTIVITIES, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE: Winner is Danielle Flanagan!

Easter giveaway! Win a Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah Easter assorted mini box (24 cupcakes).

To enter to win, “like” Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah by clicking here. Then please share your favorite Spring time tradition or activity on the Gigi’s wall. Don’t forget to say that SouthernMamas.com sent you!

Deadline to enter noon Thurs. April 17 2014. We’ll pick a winner at random & announce the winner here & on our SouthernMamas.com Facebook page.

Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah will have these oh-so adorable Easter cupcakes available in store April 14-19 or you can pre-order now. Cost: 12 for $15 or 24 for $30.

You can order cupcakes online at www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/orderahead or call 912.349.2778.

Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah is at 5521 Abercorn St., next to Petite Feet and across from the Publix Twelve Oaks Shopping Center.

Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah, 5521 Abercorn St, Suite 100, 912.349.2778 or email savannahga@gigiscupcakesusa.com , www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/savannahgeorgia. On Facebook here. Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah is a SouthernMamas advertiser.

Anxious about the pre-K lottery results that will be emailed this Wed. April 16 2014?

Keep in mind: if your child gets a seat at any of their choices, they are not automatically placed on any wait lists.

However, Kurt Hetager, Manager of Communications and Community Engagement at Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, said that after the lottery is run this Wed. April 16, parents can request to be placed on the wait list at any of the 30 sites to try and get a seat at the school they desire before the beginning of the new school year.

Please note: after the school year starts (August 7, 2014) parents can’t switch between schools within the SCCPSS school system, Hetager said.

New this year: Parents can complete the Wait List form online. Beginning Thursday, there will be a link on the http://pk.sccpss.com  site where parents can complete a short form requesting to be placed on a maximum of three wait lists, Hetager said. They will receive email confirmation that they are on the wait list.

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will also post a list of all the schools and the number of students on each wait list so parents can make better informed choices.

About FREE Georgia pre-K

The FREE Georgia pre-k program is a full-day program available at some public and private schools. Some of the programs don’t have enough spaces for all those who want to attend.

To participate in the Pre-K Program at Savannah-Chatham public schools, children must be four years of age on or before September 1, 2014, and must be a resident of Chatham County.

St. Andrew’s School – a private school on Wilmington Is. in Savannah – recently received recognition as one of the most challenging high schools in the nation. This marks the third year in a row for the Savannah private school to receive the honor.

From the over 2,000 public and private schools ranked, St. Andrew’s placed 18th overall and received the highest ranking of any private school nationwide. The Washington Post’s Jay Mathews has been ranking the most challenging schools in the country for over 15 years.

“I’m thrilled that St. Andrew’s is again being recognized for one of our distinguishing characteristics–that we provide a challenging curriculum to all of our students while giving them the individual attention and supportive environment they need to help them meet that challenge,” said Sara Rubinstein, Upper School Head. “The honor speaks to our providing a meaningful and rigorous college prep curriculum to 100% of our students through our open access International Baccalaureate Program.”

View the Post’s challenging list by clicking here.

Savannah Arts Academy was also included on the list & ranked at No. 268.

St. Andrew’s School St. Andrew’s is an independent, International Baccalaureate World School in Savannah, Georgia. For more information on the private Pre-K through Grade 12 school, visit www.saintschool.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com  St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Kindermusik in Savannah ‘s April once per month play date will be Monday, April 21st at 11:10am.

This month’s theme is “April showers- playdate’s OURS!!” and is open for ages 0-7.

Class cost is $15 for the first child, and $5 for any additional siblings, and includes the class, an instrument for each participant, ten Kindermusik songs and a bonus gift at the end of class!

To enroll online, visit www.88keysga.com  then click on the Kindermusik link or call 912-988-KEYS (5397).

Kindermusik Savannah, email music@88keysga.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397), www.88keysga.com then click on Kindermusik link. Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Day and Specialty Camps at St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island in Savannah

June 9 – August 1

Come join St. Andrew’s School for a summer of fun, excitement, and learning at St. Andrew’s School Summer Camp! St. Andrew’s summer camp programs include a daily “Day Camp” along with a wide array of weekly “Specialty” camps. St. Andrew’s camps are led by teachers, community leaders and highly qualified counselors with a passion for working with young people and helping them learn and develop skills.

Summer Camp details here.

St. Andrew’s School St. Andrew’s is an independent, International Baccalaureate World School in Savannah, Georgia. For more information on the private Pre-K through Grade 12 school, visit www.saintschool.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com  St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Read the SouthernMamas.com Savannah Summer Camps 2014 Guide by clicking here.

Scribble Art Studio’s Drawing Challenge “Easter Bunny”

Win a fabulous Art Kit filled with all of Scribble’s favorite art supplies! Just have your little artist copy the Bunny illustration and share it on Scribble’s Facebook wall here to enter to win. All ages and entries accepted!

A winning name will be randomly selected April 28th.

Scribble Art Kits contain:
*Clay
*Set of Brushes
*Faber Castell Watercolor Pencils
*Sketchbook
*Pencil Set
*Bristol Pad

Scribble & SouthernMamas.com are excited to see some bunnies!

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah & Pooler offers private & group art classes for kids, summer art camps, adult art parties & children’s birthday parties, both in the studio & at-home DIY art birthday kits. For gifts, Scribble has art kits & gift certificates. For more information, contact artist Carrie Christian at (912) 713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com  . Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Georgia Crafted is a subscription/gift box company promoting local Georgia artisans.

Sign up and you’ll receive a monthly delivery that contains 4-5 carefully curated (a.k.a. The Best) products made right here in Georgia. They’re bringing “Local to Your Door” in a whole new way.

Georgia Crafted boxes make for the perfect gift for that special someone that is always so hard to buy for! Need a gift right away? Georgia Crafted offers carefully-curated gift boxes that are ready to ship right away.

Sign up at www.georgiacrafted.com .
$29.99 (includes free nationwide shipping)

Mother’s Day Gift Box:
$33.99 (includes free nationwide shipping)
Mother’s Day Georgia Crafted Gift Box is the perfect gift for any “mom” in your life. Whether it’s your Mom, Step-Mom, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Teacher or Best Girlfriend – she will absolutely love what will be coming to her.
This beautiful gift will include:
-Salacia Salts Lip Scrub (Savannah)
-Savon Bath – Bath Cupake (Atlanta)
-Savon Bath – 2oz Blueberry Goatmilk and Honey Lotion (Atlanta)
-Tiffani Taylor Gallery – ”Love Letter: Infinite Possibilities Postcard” & “Tiffani Taylor Lifestyle Collection: Poppies, Mirrored Compact.” This compact, alone, retails for $25! (Savannah)

Order today and the box will ship the first week of May to arrive in time for Mother’s Day!

Georgia Crafted, www.georgiacrafted.com On Facebook here. Follow Georgia Crafted on Twitter www.twitter.com/georgiacrafted  Georgia Crafted is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Dr. Kasey Berman’s new Savannah pediatric office, Be Pediatrics, is open and Dr. Berman is accepting new patients!

Dr. Berman is a local Savannahian who has been practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine in Savannah for the last 10 years. She is excited to bring a fresh perspective to child medical care to the Savannah community with advanced medical technology to keep her families connected to their pediatrician.

Dr. Berman believes in proactive and integrative medicine, evaluating all facets of a child’s life that may affect their health. At Be Pediatrics, we don’t just treat your child’s symptoms, we aim to eliminate the underlying cause.

Dr. Berman is a cum laude with honors graduate of the University of Georgia and received her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. She completed her pediatric residency at Memorial Health, where she spent several years as an academic attending teaching residents and medical students before entering a career in private practice medicine. Dr. Berman enjoys spending her down time with her husband and two children, relaxing outdoors in our beautiful city and volunteering for various local charitable organizations.

Stay connected to Be Pediatrics by liking the practice on Facebook here or follow on Twitter @drkaseyberman

Be Pediatrics, 400 Mall Blvd, Suite 410B Savannah, 31406, 912.472.0314, email drberman@bepediatrics.com  www.bepediatrics.com  Be Pediatrics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Perfect Easter treat!

Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah will have these oh-so adorable Easter cupcakes available in store April 14-19 or you can pre-order now. Cost: 12 for $15 or 24 for $30.

You can order cupcakes online at www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/orderahead or call 912.349.2778.

Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah is at 5521 Abercorn St., next to Petite Feet and across from the Publix Twelve Oaks Shopping Center.

Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah, 5521 Abercorn St, Suite 100,  912.349.2778 or email savannahga@gigiscupcakesusa.com , www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/savannahgeorgia. On Facebook here. Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah is a SouthernMamas advertiser. 

You’re invited to bring your kids to the Rock-n-Roll Easter Event.

The Easter event will be Sat. April 19, 10:00 AM @ White Bluff UMC, 11911 White Bluff Road (at the end of Truman Parkway)

Games, crafts, spring cupcakes, puppet show, prizes and, of course, an egg hunt. Open to the public.

For more local Easter 2014 events including Easter Egg hunts in Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill & Hilton Head Is., click here.