Melanie Connelly!

Congratulations. Melanie wins a family vacation at one of five Georgia State Parks Lodges plus a year of fun recreational activities outdoors with a Friends of Georgia State Parks Family Membership. Her name was chosen at random to win a two-night stay at her choice of five state park lodges including: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga., Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga., Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga., George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga. And Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in McRae, Ga., as well as a Friends of Georgia State Parks Family Membership.

Georgia’s State Parks just launched a new Lodge-ical rate with lodge rooms as low as $69 per night with breakfast and will be offering a free day in the parks on Saturday, Sept. 26. Click here for more info.

Thanks to readers for sharing their wonderful memories of their grandparents to be eligible for this giveaway. Click on this post to read those memories in the comments section.

 Win a $30 gift certificate to Coastal Kids Market, a children’s consignment sale specializing in high-end, gently-used boutique & trunk show clothing (similar to this cute dress pictured here) at a fraction of the cost. The sale is Sept 16-18 @ The Shops at Godley Station (formerly Moonlight Mattress), Pooler Parkway Suite 202
Check out the rules below to enter to win:

To enter to win, comment below on the answer to this question. Tell us your favorite local playground (indoor or outdoor) and feel free to share some of its best features (shady, jungle gym, fenced-in, merry-go-round etc)Just click on comments below. Entry period closes 9 pm Thurs. Aug. 27. We’ll pick a name at random and announce the winner Fri. Aug. 28

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Interested in turning your child’s hardly-worn outgrown items into cash? Consignors are still being registered and will receive
70 percent of items’ selling price!
 A new computer system with barcoded tags makes organizing and tagging your items super easy. Sellers will be able to track their sales online each day of the sale. This sale is in a bigger space than last spring, so there’s more room for vendors.

Anyone with a home-based business that targets kids or moms is welcome to apply. Also, anyone who would like to advertise in the market’s goody bags should contact Coastal Kids via their web site here. This season there are new incentives for sellers and volunteers.

The first 150 shoppers at the sale will receive a “goody bag” filled with coupons and discounts from many local businesses such as children’s boutiques, a dance studio, a children’s photographer, party venues, home-based businesses and more.

A portion of the sale’s proceeds will go to local MOPS groups.

Does back-to-school season have you depressed about your kids’ public education options in our area? Not to mention reading those intimidating private school tuitions in the current issue of Savannah Magazine?

Good news: there’s a new tuition scholarship program targeted towards low to moderate income families who are looking for an alternative to public education. St. Andrew’s School, an independent college prep school on Wilmington Island for Pre-K through 12th grade, participates in this program.

The Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program provides qualified Georgian children from low-and moderate income families with the opportunity to attend the private K-12 schools. The scholarships are available to any child entering kindergarten and any student in grades 1-12 who is transferring from public school.

GOAL Scholarships are awarded on a sliding scale based on the availability of funds, the annual household income of applicant families, and household size. In order for a child to receive a GOAL Scholarship in any amount, total household income cannot exceed $85,000.

Click here to see a list of participating schools in the Savannah-area. For more info on St. Andrew’s scholarship program, click here.

ABC’s EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION is searching for deserving families in Savannah.

To be eligible, a family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives. Deadline for nominations is this Fri. Aug. 14.

For more information on the application process click here. Good luck!

You’ve loved Petunia Pickle Bottom (PPB) products for years. Who can resist their distinct, unique and decidedly fashionable fabrics and cuts?

Take for instance their new line of organic gift sets that SouthernMamas is giving away this week– a 3-pack of onesies and a 3-pack socks each available in 3 different color schemes that I won’t be able to do justice trying to describe. Instead, the giveaway goodies are pictured here.

Your kids are sun-kissed. You’re rested. And your husband’s rocking his beach bronze. What better time to book a photo session so you can be so-very ahead of the game with a sun-drenched family portrait when the holidays roll around.

Lucky for you, this week on SouthernMamas, Savannah-based photographer and natural-light aficionado LeeAnn Ritch is giving away a photo session (a $225 value) and online proofing to a lucky SouthernMamas subscriber. The CD and prints are not included.

 Examples of LeeAnn’s work are pictured here and in her blog and her Web site.

Click here to contact LeeAnn. Or call 912.308.9327 or email leeann@leeannritchphotography.com

Looking for a fabulous date night? How about a fun night out with the girls? Coming soon to Broughton Street in downtown Savannah is The Melting Pot! At The Melting Pot, fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience where you can truly dip into something different. Come discover The Melting Pot’s relaxed atmosphere, private tables, fine wines, attentive service and exceptional fondue dinners.

Start with a creamy cheese fondue. Then choose from four flavorful fondue cooking styles and a variety of entrées including filet mignon, lobster, blackened chicken, duck, shrimp, salmon and more. For dessert, enjoy mouthwatering chocolate fondue served with dipping items including fresh strawberries, cheesecake, marshmallows, pound cake and brownies.

To enter to win, sign up here for Club Fondue. Club Fondue members receive free chocolate fondue for two on your birthday and wedding anniversary. You will also receive monthly emails about The Melting Pot’s grand opening, ladies night out, wine tastings and other fun events.

You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to enter. Subscribing is free. Click here to do so.

You have until 9 pm this Thurs. July 30 to enter and then The Melting Pot will choose a name. SouthernMamas will announce the winner here Fri. July 31.

The Melting Pot will be opening soon in September. Come and enjoy a night of fondue!

Let your child learn and receive the benefits of yoga early.

A youth yoga class – Little Warrior Yoga – meets 4-4:45 PM Mondays @ Ashram Savannah, 2424 Drayton St. It’s for ages 3-7.

During July, SouthernMamas readers receive a 2 for 1 special to the children’s yoga. Just mention SouthernMamas to receive your discount.

The class is led by yoga instructor Cathy Baxter of Twisted Warrior Yoga.

The class includes lively children’s music, games, movement, storytelling, and drawing. The goal is to spark children’s interest in yoga and give them the tools to be self-confident, focused and happy.

Yoga mats will be provided. Dress in comfortable clothing.

The adult accompanying the participating child needs to stay in Ashram Savannah, but can practice yoga, read, or enjoy a few quiet moments in the open studio next door.

Classes are playful and light hearted and a great beginning to a lifetime of loving yoga.

Cost is $10 for first child, 1 sibling $5. Don’t forget to mention SouthernMamas to receive your discount.

For more info, email Cathy@TwistedWarrior.com or visit the Web site here for youth yoga info as well as adult yoga classes.

Don’t forget. Father’s Day is this Sun. June 21.

Dads can spend this Father’s Day at Charleston’s South Carolina Aquarium for FREE with a paying guest or child. Click here to download a special Father’s Day coupon for free admission to all dads on Sunday. The website coupon must be presented to take advantage of this offer. Fathers also will be recognized during daily programs.

The aquarium’s newest exhibit, Penguin Planet!, features four Magellanic Penguins in a brand new interactive exhibit. Watch as penguins dive underwater, learn about penguin colonies, discover what makes these unique birds march. The animals are on loan from SeaWorld.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 20 – 21, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is offering all Fathers half off of admission rates. The Museum admission rates for fathers this weekend will be $5. On Father’s Day, a special brunch will be offered in Chef Matt Cohen’s New South Pub, open daily from 11 AM to 3 PM.

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is @ 175 Bourne Avenue in Pooler, off of I-95 at Exit 102.

Registrations for the summer session of Make A Joyful Noise music programs are under way.

Mention SouthernMamas to receive a 10 percent discount. You’ll find sessions for toddlers to teens. Classes run July 2 – August 8 and include:

Music for Toddlers: 18m – 3 year olds
Cycle of Seasons/Twist & Turn: 3 – 5 year olds
Music Makers: 5 – 7 year olds
Sounds of Praise: Intro to Choir 7 – 15 yr olds
Sounds of Praise Choral Camp: August 3 – 7; 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 7 – 15 yr olds

Audition for Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir’s 2009-2010 Season.  Contact Vicki to schedule the audition by August 3. The season begins September 10.

The classes and choir audtitions are @ White Bluff Presbyterian Church, 10710 White Bluff Road on Savannah’s Southside.

To find out more about summer class times and to register, click here.Contact Vicki @ MakeAJoyfulNoiseMusicStudio@comcast.net or call 912.920.6542.

Vicki Mills, who has a masters in vocal performance and more than 20 years of experience teaching children, offers the Make A Joyful Noise early childhood music program and  Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir.

SouthernMamas is always telling you about free or low-cost Savannah area children’s activities.

Especially when it comes to finding fun, inexpensive ways to enjoy your summer staycation in Savannah with the kids.

But not until now did we have all those low-cost children’s summer activities in one place. Check out our new page entitled Low-cost Savannah summer kids’ activities. Check it out here.
Let us know what events you love or which ones need improving by sharing your comments.

Thanks to Lynn Adams for compiling this list.

Have a great SouthernMamas summer.

Have we told you lately that it pays to read SouthernMamas? If not, here’s another reminder: SouthernMamas readers can attend three of the Telfair Museum of Art’s special yoga workshops at a one-time entry discounted rate.

This summer, the Telfair’s hosting three yoga workshops—Restorative Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, and Partner Yoga—in addition to the museum’s weekly Saturday morning yoga classes. The one-time entry discounted SouthernMamas rate is listed below in boldface. (subtlety is not our strong suit)

Restorative Yoga Workshop
June 27, 11am-1pm
Telfair’s Jepson Center for the Arts
$15/member, $20/non-member; $13 FOR SOUTHERNMAMAS READERS!
This workshop, instructed by Savannah Yoga Center director Kelley Boyd, emphasizes muscle tension release and the increase of flexibility rather than strength development and aerobic capacity.

Kripalu Yoga Workshop
July 18, 10am -12pm (morning session), 1-3pm (evening session)
Telfair’s Jepson Center for the Arts
$15/member, $20/non-member for individual session: $13 FOR SOUTHERNMAMAS READERS!

$28/member, $35 non-member for complete workshop; $26 FOR SOUTHERNMAMAS READERS
This all-day workshop focuses on the Kripalu Yoga method. Co-instructed by Jan and Richard Barrali of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the special workshop provides students both individual assistance and hands-on adjustments during a mindful yoga practice.

Partner Yoga Workshop
August 22, 11am-1pm
Telfair Academy
$35/couple; $32/COUPLE FOR SOUTHERNMAMAS READERS!

You and your partner—a friend, roommate, spouse, sibling, parent, child, etc.— will work together to accomplish all of the poses. Instructed by Savannah Yoga Center director Kelley Boyd.

Registration is required for all workshops; call 912.790.8823. Space is limited. Don’t forget to mention SouthernMamas to receive your special discounted rate.

The Telfair also offers weekly yoga classes in the Jepson Center or Telfair Academy galleries. Kelley Boyd of the Savannah Yoga Center guides the class through beginner and intermediate yoga positions while incorporating various aspects of the artwork on display. Flexibility of the body is not required. All are welcome, regardless of experience and fitness level. Participants should bring a yoga mat and towel, and dress appropriately.

Classes are offered from 10-11:30 AM on Saturdays. Please arrive promptly at 9:45 AM. Drop-ins are welcome! Prices are: $10/session for members, $14/session for non-members, and $7/session for teachers and students.

For more info, click here.

Show your kids how you used to watch movies in the days before anyone ever used the word “download”.

TYBEE DRIVE-IN returns for summer @ North Beach, featuring big screen and full radio broadcast sound. The First Movie is this Thursday, June 11: “BEACH BLANKET BINGO,“ Classic beach party film starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon.

“Economic Stimulus Package” for the whole family: $10 per vehicle, $5 per person.
Pack the cooler, drive, bike or walk in. Bring the kids for a picnic and some Leopold’s ice cream, or grab a bite to eat at North Beach Grill (byo alcohol).(Free Parking for movies in North Beach Parking Lot) Pets in parking lot welcome on leashes. Don’t forget the bug spray, radio and lawn chair if you’re on foot.

Where: North Beach Parking Lot, Meddin Drive on Tybee Island
When: Gates open @ 6 PM Thurs, June 11. Show starts at “dark.“
For more info, click here or call 912-323-7727
Benefits the Tybee Post Theater.

Meal planning just got a million percent easier. And cheaper.

Until we can all afford our own personal chefs, the next best thing is easily Relish!, a truly cool meal-planning service for busy parents.

This ingenious, easy to use (really), mom-run website helps you prepare healthy, creative meals every week that rock, from what we’ve seen. You pick from a ton of excellent tested recipes, a very cleverly organized grocery list is automatically created, then all you do is hit the store for five days worth of home-cooked meals–not one of which takes more than 30 minutes to prepare.

You’ll find a whole lot to choose from including freezer meals, vegetarian menus, picnic and camping menus, and tons of kids faves that don’t include the word “nugget.”

For subscriptions as low as $5 a month, you’ll end up with five complete dinners for a family of four running you less than $85. Between the money savings and the angst savings, we say you’re coming out way ahead.
(Pssst…living gluten-free? Check out their sister site, Gfree! Gfreecuisine.com)

This week, a lucky SouthernMamas reader will win a $100 Gift card from Crate and Barrel and a free 1-year gift subscription to Relish! If you sign up for Relish! and win the subscription, you will be credited.

Here are the giveaway rules:
# To enter to win, tell us your name and favorite summertime dish or food by commenting below this post.
# Entry period closes 9 pm Thurs. June 11. We’ll pick a name at random and announce the winner here Fri. June 12.
# You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to participate. Subscribing is free. Click here to do so. We’d also love for you to become a SouthernMamas fan on Facebook (we’re just a few fans away from a tally of 500!!)

You put off waxing all spring. Now it’s June, the pool is open, the beach is calling,  yet you’re no where near bikini-ready.

Fortunately, being a SouthernMamas reader has its advantages.

Including a discount on waxing at the posh new Park West Salon, 106 W. Gwinnett St.  Mention SouthernMamas at Park West and you’ll receive 10 percent off the already reasonably priced waxing services listed to the right.

Talk about a welcome-summer treat.

Park West is located in the former location of ROBS on Forsyth. It’s @ the corner of Whitaker and Gwinnett  facing Forsyth Park. Parking in this area isn’t the headache that it is in much of downtown Savannah. There are plenty of side streets with FREE parking.

So take advantage of your savvy SouthernMamas status and get swimsuit ready, while keeping your rep as a thrifty mama intact.

Call 912.349.4856.  Become a fan of Park West Salon on Facebook by clicking here.

OK, so the annual free summer concerts in Savannah’s city squares don’t actually include children’s music.
But the live concerts are a fun way to expose your kids to some of Savannah’s finest musicians.

Sixteen concerts are planned from this Wed. June 3 through July 31. Concerts are @ 11:30 AM on Wednesdays and Fridays and will alternate between Johnson and Wright Squares.

The concert series is being produced by the New Arts Ensembles (NAE), a Savannah-based group that showcases some of the region’s finest musicians.

The series kicks off on this Wed. June 3 with modern jazz group Silver Lining in Johnson Square.

Concerts are free and open to the public.
For more, 912-651-6417 or click here.

2009 Summer Concerts in the Squares Schedule

June 3, 2009: Silver Lining in Johnson Square (Modern jazz)
June 5, 2009: Roger Moss with Eric Jones in Johnson Square (Mercer standards)
June 10, 2009: The Jimmy Wolling Band in Wright Square (bluegrass)
June 12, 2009: Gina René Quartet in Wright Square (Jazz)
June 17, 2009: Claire Frazier in Johnson Square (Jazz)
June 19, 2009: Doug Carn and Marielouise in Johnson Square (Jazz)
June 24, 2009: Claire Frazier in Wright Square (Jazz)
June 26, 2009 Bottles ‘n Cans in Wright Square (Blues)
July 8, 2009: Silver Lining in Johnson Square (modern jazz)
July 10, 2009: The Jimmy Wolling Band in Johnson Square (bluegrass)
July 15, 2009: Lolintar Trio in Wright Square (Latin Jazz)
July 17, 2009: Bottles ‘n Cans in Wright Square (Blues)
July 22, 2009: Roger Moss with Eric Jones in Johnson Square (Mercer standards)
July 24, 2009: Gina René Quartet in Johnson Square (Jazz)
July 29, 2009: Lolintar Trio in Wright Square (Latin Jazz)
July 31, 2009: Doug Carn and Marielouise in Wright Square (Jazz)

Savannah’s “MusicAlive!” string quintet will have FREE music programs for children starting next week (June 8)  @ branches of the Live Oak Public Libraries. Children will learn about the musical genius of Johnny Mercer and his music.

The musicians will also present a segment on songwriting.

My toddler’s attended a coupleMusicAlive! performances and afterwards there’s often a string instrument “petting zoo” when children are allowed to touch the instruments.

The FREE performances are recommended for children of all ages. Here’s the schedule for the MusicAlive! events:

11 AM Mon, June 8 @ W.W. Law Branch Library
4 PM Mon., June 8 @ Oglethorpe Mall Branch Library
6 PM Mon,, June 8 @ Islands Branch Library
10:30 AM Tues., June 9 @ Port City Branch Library
1 PM Tues. June 9 @ South Effingham Branch Library
4 PM Tues. June 9 @ Kayton Branch Library
10:30 AM Wed. June 10 @ West Chatham Branch Library
2:30 PM Wed. June 10 @ Tybee Branch Library
4 PM Wed. June 10 @ Ogeechee Branch Library
10: 30 AM Thurs. June 11 @ Bull Street Branch Library
3 PM Thurs. June 11 @ Midway Branch Library
6 PM Thurs., June 11 @ Liberty Branch Library
10:30 AM Fri., June 12 @ Effingham Branch Library
3 PM Fri. June 12 @ Hitch Branch Library
5 PM Fri. June 12 @ West Chatham Branch Library

Contact your local branch for more information