Portfolio Builder: Youth Drawing 1 Ages 10 – 14 6 Weeks – Thursdays, Sept 26 – Oct 31, 4:30–6:00pm Member: $100, Non-member: $125 Instructor: Marisa Lilje
	This class is designed to help upper-elementary & middle school students improve their drawing skills and begin the process of developing a portfolio.  In Drawing 1, students will focus on observational drawing techniques including, linear perspective, shading, and the figure. Class exercises will include working from still life and practicing portraiture and sketching from clothed models. Youth Drawing is a great class for students to develop their art portfolios. All materials provided.
	Crash Course in Portraiture Ages: Teen – Adult Saturday, Oct 12, 10am-1pm Members $75, Non-members $95
	A great class for anyone that likes to draw but is scared to draw people or just interested in trying.  This one day class will explore the basics of drawing Portraits in charcoal.  Working from life students will gain an introduction observational measuring and proportion, as well methods for organizing approaches to complex subjects.  Emphasis will be placed on creating volume, light, and shape with value, as well as additive and subtractive use of charcoal. All materials provided.
	Sketch-Booking for the Family Ages: 6 – Adult (1 adult companion per child required) 2 Weeks – Saturday, Oct 26 & Saturday, Nov 2, 10am-12pm Members $100, Non-members $125 per adult and child pair
	This class will meet 2 Saturdays and explore sketch booking as a family activity. In this class we will bind our own sketchbooks, create our own travel watercolor pallet and explore techniques for creating fast plain air sketches in water color. Lesson will include introduction to observational drawing, proper use of materials, and how to for parents looking to engage their children through the arts as well as find some time to do their own sketching. 1 parent/adult per child. All materials included.
	Crash Course Alla Prima Portraits in a Day Ages: Teen – Adult Saturday, Nov 9, 10am-4pm Members $95, Non-members $120
	This workshop is designed to create a relaxed, fun, informative, yet intense working environment. Learn to use direct fluid and fast painting process with heavy emphasis on the use, value relationships, color, and capturing sense of light. Learn to use the elements that make a painting stronger and exciting: creative use of color & edges, visual movement, paint application/ brushwork, distribution of abstract shapes and strong design. All materials provided.

VISIT TELFAIR MUSEUM’S WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

ONGOING KIDS’ CLASSES:

TODDLER 3RD THURSDAYS
Thursday, September 19 | 10-11:30 am | JC
Shiny Shapes and Details!
$5 per child; free to adult members or with museum admission
Registration and adult supervision required. Call 790-8823 or click here to register.

WCWM? (What Can We Make?) STUDIO
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays | 1-4 pm | JC
Join us as we open the studios for drop-in visits for all ages. Explore your creative side with inspiring activities utilizing recycled materials, found objects, and traditional art supplies. Free to members or with museum admission.

Telfair’s Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W York Street, Savannah, 31401, www.telfair.org Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Telfair Museums will host a free Family Day at the Jepson Center as part of its monthly Family Days series, which is free and open to the public.

This month’s theme is Sketch Crawl. Explore the world with a sketchbook.

Participants can also enjoy Story Time and What Can We Make? art activity Free and open to the public.

The Georgia Power Foundation and the AGL Resources Foundation funded this Free Family Day.

FREE Family Day
Saturday, Oct. 19
Free Family Day – 1-4 p.m.
Opening of Telfair Summer Outreach Program Exhibition at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Jepson Center
207 W. York Street, on Telfair Square
Savannah 31401

MORE KIDS’ EVENTS @ JEPSON CENTER

TODDLER 3RD THURSDAYS
Thursday, Sept. 19 | 10-11:30 am | Jepson Center
Theme:  Shiny Shapes & Details!
$5 per child; free to adult members or with museum admission

WCWM? (What Can We Make?) STUDIO
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays | 1-4 pm | Jepson Center
Join the museum as they open the studios for drop-in visits for all ages. Explore your creative side with inspiring activities utilizing recycled materials, found objects, and traditional art supplies. August – Exploring Near Eastern art and artists. Free to members or with museum admission

Telfair’s Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W York Street, Savannah, 31401, www.telfair.org Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

FREE Storytimes  @ Live Oak Public Libraries branches in Savannah, Wilmington Island, Pooler, Tybee Island, Rincon/Springfield, Hinesville are a wonderful FREE way to expose your child to storybooks read aloud by a librarian as well as songs and fingerplays.

Plus, attending storytimes regularly helps your child to become accustomed to visiting the library regularly.

Storytimes usually involve much more than simply reading a book. Chances are your child will also engage singalongs, fingerplays and crafts.

Click here for a the breakdown of regular storytimes at Live Oak Public Libraries & the targeted age levels for each. (Storytimes were on a hiatus for the last two weeks of August 2013 but most return the first or second week September. Call ahead to confirm!)

Click here for the list of local FREE library storytimes.

FOR MORE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR BY CLICKING HERE

Scribble Art Studio & Blick art materials present Saturday art workshops @ Dick Blick, Savannah. See a complete list of workshops available here.

Don’t forget Scribble’s Fall art classes for kids in Savannah & Pooler start next week. More info here.

To learn more about Scribble’s art classes & summer camps for kids in Pooler & Savannah, click here or call 912-713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com  .

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah & Pooler also offers private & group art classes, summer art camps, adult art parties. For gifts, Scribble as 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.

Toddler Tuesday nature programs themes are set for the rest of 2013 at Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah!

This week’s theme: Tails of Tales  – Long, short, furry, naked, feathered, scaled, the group will discover the tails of animals
and why they are useful.  If you come to this Toddler Tuesday, you just might leave with a tail (tale) or two.

At Toddler Tuesday, children & their parents/caretakers experience nature through themed activities including live animal encounters, wildlife nature walks, storytelling, songs, interactive finger-play & crafts.

Details & a look ahead at Toddler Tuesday themes for Aug-Dec. 2013 by clicking here.

FOR MORE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR BY CLICKING HERE

Don’t delay! This is final week to register for kids classes at Savannah’s Clay Spot.

Classes begin the first week of September, so grab a spot now. Kids classes range from preschool to teen and parent and child classes are also available.

www.savannahsclayspot.com, or 912-509-4647

Savannah’s Clay Spot, www.savannahsclayspot.com , 1305 Barnard St. Savannah,  31401, tel 912-509-4647 Savannah’s Clay Spot is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Step into the shoes of a soldier this Labor Day Weekend at Old Fort Jackson in Savannah. Through special programming, learn how Civil War soldiers lived their lives! Meet Old Fort Jackson’s great interpreters and be sure to stay for the cannon firings!

WHERE: Old Fort Jackson

WHEN: Labor Day Weekend: Aug. 31 & Sept. 1 & 2, 2013

SITE HOURS
Old Fort Jackson
1 Fort Jackson Rd.
Savannah, GA 31404
P: 912.232.3945
F: 912.236.5126
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Old Fort Jackson, (912) 232-3945, 1 Fort Jackson Rd., Savannah, 31404, http://www.chsgeorgia.org/Old-Fort-Jackson.html

Sunday: 11am-4pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm
Special OPEN Holiday Hours on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd from 10am-4pm!

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Savannah Children’s Museum is at 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, 31401

Fall Pottery Classes at Savannah’s Clay Spot
Begin Sept. 5, 2013
Register now online www.savannahsclayspot.com

Contact: lisa@savannahsclayspot.com, 912-509-4647

Savannah’s Clay Spot, www.savannahsclayspot.com , 1305 Barnard St. Savannah,  31401, tel 912-509-4647 Savannah’s Clay Spot is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The Moms In Prayer (MIP) group in Savannah will kick off on Thursday, 8/22, from 8:45-9:45 am at the Habersham YMCA Youth Building.

This is a time of non-denominational Christian prayer for our children, our schools, the things they face, etc.. We will pray for any school your children attend, and the group leader will bring specific things to pray for her daughters’ schools, Savannah Classical Academy and the Habersham Y pre-K.

You are invited to join.

The regular meeting time after the kick-off will continue to be Thursdays from 8:45-9:45 am at the Habersham YMCA Youth Building when the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools are in session. You can visit any week.

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge to host FREE kids’ photography class, Aug. 24, 2013.

Calling all children! Are you looking to take better photos with your camera? Why not consider attending a photography class at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge? The class will be held August 24, 2013 from 8:30am to 10am. It is intended to help young photographers ages 16 and younger learn more about photography using the natural environment of the refuge.

The class is free; however, reservations are required due to limited seating. For reservations or more information contact Whitney Herndon at Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex 843-784-2468.

Participants will also have the opportunity to get started on entering the wildlife refuge photo contest!

Event Information:
• August 24, 2013 at
@ The Savannah NWR Visitor Center
694 Beech Hill Ln, Hardeeville, SC 29927
• From 8:30 a.m.—10 a.m.
• FREE Preregistration required.
• Limited to 25 participants

For more information or to register, please call the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (843)784-2468

Hoping your child falls in love with a musical instrument this year?

For information on musical lessons, check with Beth Bevars, ensemble manager for Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra. She can email you a list of local musical instrument teachers, their specialties, locations, contact info, lesson tips etc. Email Beth at savaayo@yahoo.com .

Beth offers lots of great tips about getting your child started with a musical instrument in my Q&A column with her here.

One tip Beth suggests is exposing your child to live music.

Savannah has many opportunities for kids to attend live music concerts including:

* FREE CONCERTs Armstrong Atlantic State University has several Music Department Concerts each semester featuring the band, chorus, jazz band, and percussion ensemble. There are also many student recitals. More info is available here.

* Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra More information and tickets prices visit http://www.hhso.org

* Savannah Friends of Music newsletters are available at: http://savannahfriendsofmusic.com

More info on Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra here.

FOR MORE AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN THE SAVANNAH AREA, CLICK HERE.

Check out the BOYS YOGA offered at Ganesha’s Place in Savannah. The six-week Saturday class is for boys ages 7-11 and starts Aug. 17. Register online at www.ganeshasplace.com or by contacting Kate at 912.665.4199. Enrollment will be limited, so please register early.

Ganesha’s Place will also offer new kids’ yoga, dance & music class. The six-week class starts Aug. 16 and runs until Sept. 20, Fridays 9:30-10:15 AM. Cost: $75. For ages 16 mths to 3 yrs with caregiver.

You’re also invited to bring your kids to the open house at Ganesha’s Place  from 9:30-11:30 AM TODAY Sat Aug. 10. The open house at the Savannah yoga studio will feature new kids’ classes and teachers. Check out the studio & see what Ganesha’s Place has to offer.

Ganesha’s Place offers a variety of yoga classes as well as therapeutic classes including yoga for special needs kids, children with autism & restorative yoga for caretakers.

What we love about Ganesha’s Place is that it’s a spot to explore, heal and have fun. Ganesha’s can be a place for the whole family: you’re not required to be athletic or wear special outfits. Yoga therapy at Ganesha’s regulates and improves the balance between health and wellness without the intimidating images of body contortions and “pretzels”.

Keep up with Ganesha’s Place on Facebook 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

Telfair Museums will host a free Family Day at the Jepson Center as part of its monthly Family Days series, which is free and open to the public.

This month’s theme is “Near East Family Day” and celebrates the art of countries and cultures represented in the “Allure of the Near East” exhibition, which opens at the Jepson Center on August 16. Families will enjoy hands-on activities, storytelling and a performance by TURKU, a popular band described as “Nomads of the Silk Road.”

Family Day is sponsored by the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs, Georgia Power and the AGL Resources Foundation.

TURKU’s high-energy performance will feature musical traditions from Turkey, Persia, Kurdistan, Caucasus and the Balkans, blending authentic historical songs with traditional improvisational techniques.

Families are also invited to attend a Pre-Family Day Workshop, which will take place in the morning and focus on making shadow puppets, marbleizing paper and piecing together a carpet puzzle. Reservations are required. Please call 912.790.8823 to RSVP.

FREE Family Day
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Free Family Day – 1-4 p.m.
Pre-Family Day Workshop – 11 a.m.
TURKU Musical Performance – 3 p.m.

WHERE: Jepson Center
207 W. York Street, on Telfair Square
Savannah 31401

MORE KIDS’ EVENTS @ JEPSON CENTER

TODDLER 3RD THURSDAYS
Thursday, August 15 | 10-11:30 am | Jepson Center
Exploring Near Eastern art and artists.
$5 per child; free to adult members or with museum admission

WCWM? (What Can We Make?) STUDIO
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays | 1-4 pm | Jepson Center
Join the museum as they open the studios for drop-in visits for all ages. Explore your creative side with inspiring activities utilizing recycled materials, found objects, and traditional art supplies. August – Exploring Near Eastern art and artists. Free to members or with museum admission

Telfair’s Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W York Street, Savannah,  31401, www.telfair.org Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Sign up your child for creative after-school pottery Fall classes both on and off the wheel @ Savannah’s Clay Spot. Child/Parent classes also available.

Savannah’s Clay Spot is also a fun, unique spot to host creative children’s birthday parties and events. They’ll have everything set up for you and your guests. Generally, events are planned for a two-hour session. This session includes one hour of fun instruction focused on a theme of your choice. The instruction time is split up over the session to allow time for creating, snacks and socialization. All projects will be finished with a glossy food-safe glaze and fired in Clay Spot’s kilns to make a lasting keepsake from your celebration. See more details here.

For more info, contact Lisa Alvarez Bradley, email lisa@savannahsclayspot.com or call 912-509-4647
Click here to Register for kids and Teen classes On-line

Kids & Teen Classes

Savannah’s Clay Spot, www.savannahsclayspot.com , 1305 Barnard St. Savannah,  31401, tel 912-509-4647 Savannah’s Clay Spot is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

When you take kids to tour national parks, you never know how much they are getting out of the visit. Especially for those of us moms who aren’t exactly history experts.

Which is why you need to pick up the Junior Ranger booklets at the visitor centers of national parks you visit. The Junior Ranger program kids engage more during the visits.

Junior Ranger booklets have activities about the national parks for ages 5-12. Junior ranger books are free to any visitor and usually are available at the visitors’ centers. Often, similar programs with more advanced activities are also available for older kids. Just ask at the site’s visitor center.

While doing the activities, children enjoy earning a badge and a certificate.

Nearby national parks/monuments that have Junior Ranger programs include:
*Fort Pulaski National Monument, on U.S. 80 en route to Tybee Island. Info on the Fort Pulaski Junior Program here.
*Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie national monuments, Charleston, S.C. Info on these forts Junior Ranger program here.
*Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga. More info here.
*Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island. Info on the Fort Frederica National Monument Junior Ranger Program here.
*Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon. Info on Ocmulgee’s National Monument Junior Ranger Program here.

Because of sell-out shows last week, Savannah Children’s Theatre added two performances of the musical 42nd Street, which will be August 9-10 Friday and Saturday at 7pm,

42nd Street has 50 performers and at some points all on stage at once – tap dancing!

This show sold out on opening weekend earlier this month, so these two extra shows were added.

Tickets can be purchased at www.savannahchildrenstheatre.org or by calling 912-238-9015 or at the theatre box office.

The Savannah Children’s Theatre, 2160 East Victory Drive, in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SAVANNAH CHILDREN’S THEATRE, CLICK HERE.

The Savannah Children’s 2013-2014 Main Stage Musicals will be DISNEY’S TARZAN and SHREK THE MUSICAL!

To learn more about Scribble’s art classes & summer camps for kids in Pooler & Savannah, click here or call 912-713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com  .

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah & Pooler also offers private & group art classes, summer art camps, adult art parties. For gifts, Scribble as 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.

Check out the new kids’ yoga, dance & music class offered at Ganesha’s Place in Savannah.

The six-week class starts Aug. 16 and runs until Sept. 20, Fridays 9:30-10:15 AM. Cost: $75. For ages 16 mths to 3 yrs with caregiver.

Contact Kate at kate@ganeshasplace.com for more information.

You’re also invited to bring your kids to the open house at Ganesha’s Place  from 9:30-11:30 AM Aug. 10. The open house at the Savannah yoga studio will feature new kids’ classes and teachers. Check out the studio & see what Ganesha’s Place has to offer.

Ganesha’s Place offers a variety of yoga classes as well as therapeutic classes including yoga for special needs kids, children with autism & restorative yoga for caretakers.

What we love about Ganesha’s Place is that it’s a spot to explore, heal and have fun. Ganesha’s can be a place for the whole family: you’re not required to be athletic or wear special outfits. Yoga therapy at Ganesha’s regulates and improves the balance between health and wellness without the intimidating images of body contortions and “pretzels”.

Keep up with Ganesha’s Place on Facebook 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

Coach Val’s Tumblegym on Wilmington Is. is now registering kids for 2013-2014 classes that begin Aug. 12. Different classes offered for various ages from walkers to 8 year olds.

Visit schedule and rates page for updated information. LOTS of new classes offered starting in August including:

Wiggle Worms 30 mins/week walkers – 2 yrs accompanied by adult GrassHoppers 45 mins/wk 2 to 3 yrs accompanied by adult Bumble Bees 60 mins/week 3 to 4 yrs FireFlies 60 mins/week 4 to 6 yrs DragonFlies 60 mins/week 6 to 8 yrs

JULY Special! Register with a friend during the month of July and each receive a $15 credit toward 2nd months class fees. Both registrations must be received same day to apply. Details here.

Call 912-268-6003 or email val@coachvals.com.

Birthday Parties
Leave the ENTERTAINMENT and MESS to Coach Val’s Tumblegym, which offers Birthday Parties customized to fit your child’s interests and theme. Good for ages 2 to 8 years old. Details here.

Classes are in a safe, air conditioned, bug-free environment! Tumblegym’s 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.

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.

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

Mention you saw Coach Val’s Tumblegym on SouthernMamas.com site to receive $10 off your initial class fee..

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.

You’re invited to the first ever Green Eggs & Ham Day at the WhistleStop Café this Saturday, August 3 from 11 AM to 1 PM.

This fun event will feature Storytime and crafting Dr. Seuss bookmarks hosted by Savannah Children’s Museum on location at the WhistleStop!

Besides the fun activities, kids will have the opportunity to have real green eggs and ham for lunch from the cafe’s special kid’s buffet including a fun “Yink’s Pink Drink”! This unique meal will be only $4.99! Grown-ups will have the chance to try the brand new WhistleStop Southern Special – a Southern buffet style meal with your choice meat and sides!

The fun won’t just be contained on the WhistleStop’s patio – Savannah Children’s Museum will feature food-themed activities all day. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” will be read at the 9:45 AM and 12:30 PM. Storytimes and at 10 AM kids will have the chance to put together a fun Dr. Seuss craft.

WhistleStop Café, 303 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 651-3656, http://www.chsgeorgia.org/Whistlestop-Cafe.html

Upcoming Shows at Savannah Children’s Theatre include:

42nd Street August 9-10 Friday and Saturday at 7pm,

42nd Street has 50 performers and at some points all on stage at once – tap dancing!

This show sold out on opening weekend earlier this month, so these two extra shows were added.

Tickets can be purchased at www.savannahchildrenstheatre.org or by calling 912-238-9015 or at the theatre box office.

The Savannah Children’s Theatre, 2160 East Victory Drive, in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SAVANNAH CHILDREN’S THEATRE, CLICK HERE.

The Savannah Children’s 2013-2014 Main Stage Musicals will be DISNEY’S TARZAN and SHREK THE MUSICAL!