We’re sad to learn that naturalist Michele Mazzei will be leaving Oatland Island Wildlife Center after nearly 4 yrs there. Michele leads Oatland’s popular Toddler Tuesday programs.
This upcoming wk’s Toddler Tues. will be Michele’s last one & the last one until fall, when we hope that the educational & fun parent-and-child program continues.

May 15: Small but Mighty: The Eastern Screech Owl – Join us as we learn about owls including the eastern screech owl. Visit with the small but mighty Icarus and learn about owls that don’t give a “hoot” but are oh, so cute!

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Wildlife and education programs
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA, 31410
(912) 395-1212

Admission rates & driving directions here.

Toddler Tuesdays at Oatland Island Wildlife Center.
Programs at 10 AM & 11 AM Tuesdays. Pre-registration required. Call 395-1500

Toddler Tuesday Program Fees for 2011-2012:
General: $5 per child $5 per adult
Friends of Oatland Members: $5 per child, up to 2 adults FREE!

Program fee includes program and entrance to Oatland Island Wildlife Center and trails.

Opening Jan. 20 at The Savannah Children’s Theatre: “Seussical, The Musical,” a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza.

The show brings to life all the favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton theElephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. “Oh, the The Things You Can Think” captures the show’s spirit of imagination, as the colorful characters transport the audience from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

The Mainstage production feature both adult and children performers, along with a live orchesta. Jan. 20-22, 27-29 and Feb. 3-5. Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. (Secret tip: The Savannah Children’s Theatre’s Mainstage productions are the theatre’s biggest shows of the year and are so popular they typically sell out by the final weekend)

Tickets can be purchased at www.savannahchildrenstheatre.org or at the theatre, 2160 E. Victory Drive, Crossroad Shopping Center, next to the Piggly Wiggly. 912-238-9015.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina; 8 PM Jan. 14 & 2 PM Jan. 15. The world-renowned dance company will perform a selection of classic & contemporary dance, including “Step Touch,” choreographed by Dwight Rhoden from Fox’s hit dance show, So You Think You Can Dance.
Details here.

For information about a master’s class for dancers 10 & older, taught by Marianna Tcherkassky, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Ballet Mistress on Sat. Jan. 14, click here.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Master Class (Dancers 10 and up)
Marianna Tcherkassky, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Ballet Mistress, will teach an intermediate-advanced classical ballet class for ages 10 and up. In determining if the class is appropriate, students should be able to remember and execute complex/multiple count petite allegro combinations after one or two demonstrations. Students should be able to balance on releve in extended poses such as arabesque and attitude and land a double pirouette smoothly. $25
11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
To register, contact Arts Center of Coastal Carolina at 843/686-3945, ext. 233
www.facebook.com/artshhi
www.artshhi.com

7:30 PM Thurs Feb. 16 at Savannah Civic Center

For tickets information, click here.

The Columbia City Ballet Presents “Sleeping Beauty” ballet
5:30 PM Sat Feb. 11 Savannah Civic Center
For tickets info, click here.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia Presents Romeo & Juliet
7:30-9:30 PM Fri. Jan. 13 Savannah Civic Center
The company of 65 brings a brand-new production of ROMEO & JULIET. The ballet is set to the familiar Prokofiev score and choreographed by Mikhail Lavrovsky, former principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, and now a leading Russian choreographer for the Bolshoi and other companies.
For tickets info, click here.

For families who wish to increase and support their Spanish skills while interacting with their baby or toddler. Ages 0-5.

the 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on
10 AM Mon. Jan. 21 2013 MLK Jr. Blvd., Savannah

For questions concerning parade applications or parade information please contact: parade@mlkingsavannah.com , or call the MLK Observance Day Association’s Office at: 912-234-5502.

An exciting Savannah Celtic soccer program for children with disabilities – including autism/aspergers – starts Jan. 10 2012.

TOPSoccer is an indoor soccer program that helps young players with disabilities develop, compete & achieve success according to their individual abilities.

TOPSoccer will be 7-8 PM Tuesday nights, indoors. The Winter 2012 Season will run Jan. 10-Feb. 14. Registration fee for U8 through U14 TOPSoccer is $85.

The goal of TOPSoccer – started by US Youth Soccer – is to take children from the sidelines to participating in the game!

Check the Savannah Celtic website here for more information.

If you have any questions, please email Savannah Celtic at celtic@savannahceltics.com.

Get a jump start on soccer! Savannah Celtic FC holds an indoor camp each winter (Jan/Feb) that helps the kids get a jump start on the Spring Season.

The coaching is conducted and overseen by Nationally Licensed STAFF coaches and the kids always get a lot out of it. They will practice on Tuesday/Thursday for 6 weeks (a total of 12 sessions). The cost is $85.

Ages 4 to 8. More info here.

(Spring Season soccer discounts. Savannah Celtic is offering several discounts on spring soccer sessions to help out the families who make Savannah Celtic great. For info on those spring session discounts (not the indoor winter camp), click here. )

Check the Savannah Celtic website here for more information.

If you have any questions, please email Savannah Celtic at celtic@savannahceltics.com. Savannah

Make It & Take It: Chinese New Year

This craft program features an art activity with a Chinese new Year theme.
Bull Street Library, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 4:30 p.m.
Islands Library, Thursday, Jan. 26, 4 p.m.
Port City, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 4:30 p.m.
Southwest Chatham Library, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 4:30 p.m.
Thunderbolt Library, Monday, Jan. 23, 4 p.m.
Tybee Library, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 11 a.m.
West Broad Library, Thursday, Jan. 26, 4 p.m.

FOR FREE STORYTIMES AT VARIOUS LOCAL LIBRARIES, CLICK HERE.

Make It & Take It Craft: MLK at various Savannah-area libraries. FREE

Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a themed art activity.
Bull Street Library, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 4:30 p.m.
Islands Library, Thursday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m.
Port City, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 4:30 p.m.
Southwest Chatham Library, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 4:30 p.m.
Thunderbolt Library, Monday, Jan. 9, 4 p.m.
Tybee Library, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 11 a.m.
W.W. Law Library, Wednesday, Jan 11, 4 p.m.
West Broad Library, Thursday, Jan.12, 4 p.m.

FOR FREE STORYTIMES AT VARIOUS LOCAL LIBRARIES, CLICK HERE.

Wonderful Wednesday @ Southwest Chatham Library
Wednesdays, @ 4:30 p.m.
Come join us for a wonderful, wacky, world of fun. Stories, songs, music, and activities especially for ages 5 to 10. FREE

FOR FREE STORYTIMES AT VARIOUS LOCAL LIBRARIES, CLICK HERE.

Rincon MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) invites Moms to come enjoy brunch, a fun craft, encouragement and friendships of other Moms. All mothers of children from birth to kindergarten are invited to attend. Childcare is provided with crafts, games and snacks while moms enjoy the meeting. The next meeting is Tues. Jan. 10th from 9 to 11:30 AM at First Baptist Church of Rincon (Memorial Chapel in back). Rincon MOPS is part of MOPS International.

FOR MORE LOCAL MOPS MEETINGS, CLICK HERE.

Do friends and family ask you how long you are going to homeschool? Are you asking yourself the same question? Does the thought of homeschooling for the long term (through high school) excite you? Terrify you? Exhaust you? Would you like some practical information on how to successfully navigate the high school years with your children?

If so, please join the meeting on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 9am to noon at South Effingham Community Church (289 Harley Road, Guyton, GA 31312) for a free seminar on Homeschooling for the Long-Term. The speaker will be Julie Melendez, a homeschooling mom of three and the Georgia VP for Classical Conversations. Her two older children are enrolled in college and are homeschool graduates of the Classical Conversations Challenge program; her youngest is currently enrolled in Challenge 2. Julie and her husband, Chris, have been homeschooling their children since 1999. They are in it for the long term!! Julie will share how the CC Challenge programs for middle school and high school students have benefitted her family and others who have participated in the CC Challenge program. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and be encouraged to continue your Christian classical homeschooling efforts for the long-term. Visit the CC Challenge website for additional information.

Please email Kristin Bigalke at rkadb004@gmail.com  or Toni Carroll at tc0223@hotmail.com  to RSVP or to ask any questions. Childcare will not be available for this 3-hour seminar however, it is open to everyone who would like to learn more about homeschooling through the middle & high school years. We ask that you kindly RSVP by Wednesday, January 18 so that we can prepare appropriately.

Classical Conversations of Savannah
www.classicalconversations.com

rkadb004@gmail.com
912-655-8173

The Effingham County Health Department in conjunction with the Georgia State Patrol will hold a booster seat distribution/car seat check event on Wednesday, January 18 from 3-5 p.m. at the Lowe’s in Rincon.

Booster seats will be given, at no cost, to income-eligible participants including those enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, PeachCare, or Medicaid, who can provide proof of eligibility. A limited number of booster seats will be available and children in need of seats must accompany parents. Parents who already have car seats are also encouraged to stop by the event to have their seats checked for proper installation.

Give Kids a Boost is a statewide partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the Georgia State Patrol and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to educate parents on Georgia’s car seat and booster seat law. A new state law went into effect in July 2011 that requires children under age eight to be properly secured in an approved car seat or booster seat.

The new law brings Georgia in line with the age recommendations of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Georgia is already one of 47 states that require booster seats or other appropriate devices for children who have outgrown their car seats but are still too small to use an adult seat belt safely.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children 3 to 14 years old. Children are protected when parents correctly install a car seat that is appropriate for a child’s height, weight and age.

Funding support for 80 percent of this project is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Response, Core II and the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

For more information, call 912-754-6850.

Coastal Cheer Cats: Spring Season Cheer Teams for youth and junior ages.

Join All American Gymnastics in Savannah for Open house & Clinic/Tryouts:
January 7th from 5-7 pm
Ages 14 & younger.
Great opportunity to be a part of a Spring Season only team
Practice only 1 day a week (Sunday)
Please call (912) 354-4343 to sign up in advance, more details available on the Coastal Cheer Cats link here

All American Gymnastics supports the Military. All military families with a Skies Unlimited Card will receive 20% off ALL classes.

All American Gymnastics, 7808 White Bluff (across from Hunter AAF) (912) 354-4343, email sam.allamericangymnastics@gmail.com, www.aagsavannah.com All American Gymnastics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Kids’ Night Out
6-8 PM Saturday, January 7
Drop the kids off for a night of fun!
$25 + tax includes project, pizza, and drink.
Ages 5 & Up
Reservations Required: 912.303.9599 or email contactus@starlightpottery.com

Winter/Spring Studio Hours at Starlight Pottery: Monday 11-6, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday – Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-6, Sunday Closed

Ladies Night Out
Thursday, January 5
6-9pm
Get your friends together and call to reserve a table. Bring your own food and drink.
Price of the pottery you paint is all you pay!
Its a great way to relax after the holidays!!
To reserve your table, call 912.303.9599 or email contactus@starlightpottery.com

Winter/Spring Studio Hours at Starlight Pottery: Monday 11-6, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday – Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-6, Sunday Closed

Ongoing Events at The Center for Wildlife Education & the Lamar Q. Ball Raptor Center, open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. M-F & 1-5 PM Sat. The Wildlife Center is closed on weekends during the months of June, July & August

Features raptor program/flight show with birds of prey, reptile show, discovery trails with wetland preserve, eco-adventure camps, birthday party packages.
More info here.

The Wildlife Center offers a special themed program to the public each day at 3:30 p.m. The fee for the daily program is the price of admission.

Monday – Are You Afraid of Wildlife?

Join us for an in depth discussion of “scary” animals, and why they are really not scary at all! Learn how to have a healthy respect for the wildlife around you.

Tuesday – Sandhill Ecosystems

Experience seeing and learning about the animals you would find in Sandhill Ecosystems, one of our most threatened habitats in Georgia.

Wednesday – Wildlife of the World

Explore animals from almost every continent in the world. Learn how they have adapted to survive in the habitats in which they live.

Thursday – Flight Show

Join us in the amphitheater to be amazed by the majestic flight of our Birds of Prey.

Friday – Words of the Wise

Learn the truth about owls and some of the myths with which they are associated. See up close and personal why some of them are true, and some of them are definitely not!

For more information on the daily themed programs please contact the Center at 912-478-0831.

Weekend Programs:
The Wildlife Center is closed on weekends during the months of June, July & August
The Center for Wildlife Education is open to the public on Saturday’s from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
A reptile program is held on each Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall and a flighted raptor program is held at 3:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
For more information please contact the Center at 912-478-0831

Admission Rates effective April 27th 2009:
Single Admission Rates:
Adults: $2.00
Children (3-11 years of age): $1.00
Military (with ID): $1.00
Senior Citizens: $1.00
Children under 3 years of age: Free
GSU Faculty, Staff and Students (with ID): Free

Annual Admission Rates (unlimited visits):
Adults: $8.00
Children (3-11 years of age): $6.00
Military (with ID): $6.00
Senior Citizens: $6.00

Admission fees exclude special event and field trip fees

Driving Directions From Savannah:
Travel I-16 West towards Macon. Take Exit 127, (GA Hwy. 67) towards Statesboro. At second stoplight (approx. 10 miles) turn left onto Veteran’s Memorial Parkway (Bypass 301, 67, 25). Go through the red light at Lanier Drive and through the red light at the GSU entrance on Akins Blvd. At the third stoplight, turn right onto US 301. Just after passing the Best Western on the left, turn right at GSU entrance (Southern Drive). Turn right onto Sweetheart Circle. Take the first right off Sweetheart Circle onto Forest Drive. Proceed through the 3-way stop. The Center for Wildlife Education is just down the street on the left across from the University Public Safety offices.