Here’s a fun twist on your annual holiday tradition of checking out downtown Savannah’s decorations: vote for your favorite display in the Modern Holiday window display competition.

In celebration of the Telfair’s exhibition “Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum”, downtown Savannah businesses have designed creative holiday window displays based on a selected reproduction from the Modern Masters exhibition.

Participating stores incorporate the reproduction of artwork, along with their own products, into a creative window display that reflects the holidays and the Modern Masters exhibition.

Check out these downtown store window displays and text your vote for your favorite window display. To vote for your favorite display, text the corresponding number to 22333.

An American Craftsman 219796
Bleubelle 219793
Bicycle Link 219802
Clipper Trading 219801
DC2 219800
Globe Shoe Co. 219795
Grateful Hound 219799
James Gunn 219794
James Hogan 219797
Levy Jewelers 219783
Mason 219798
Oliver Bentleys 219791
Paris Market 219792
Red Clover 219781
Zia 219782

The Dog Who Saved Christmas ABCFAM Nov 29, 7:00PM
Christmas In Rockefeller Center 2010 NBC Nov 30, 8:00PM
Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer CBS Nov 30, 8:00PM
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) ABC Nov 30, 8:00 PM
It’s A Wonderful Life NBC Nov 30, 9:00PM
Dr. Seuss on the Loose ABCFAM Dec 1, 6:00PM
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax ABCFAM Dec 1, 6:30PM
Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat ABCFAM Dec 1, 7:00PM
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Grinches The Cat in the Hat ABCFAM Dec 1, 7:30PM
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas ABCFAM Dec 1, 8:00PM
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas ABCFAM Dec 1, 10:00PM
A Flintstone Christmas ABCFAM Dec 2, 6:00PM
The Santa Clause ABCFAM Dec 2, 7:00PM
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town ABC Dec 2, 8:00PM
Scrooged AMC Dec 2, 8:00PM
The Santa Suit HALMRK Dec 2, 8:00PM
The Santa Clause ABCFAM Dec 2, 9:00PM
Scrooged AMC Dec 2, 10:00PM
The Polar Express ABCFAM Dec 3, 6:00PM
The Polar Express ABCFAM Dec 3, 8:30PM
A Christmas Carol (1938) TCM Dec 4, 9:00AM
Jack Frost ABCFAM Dec 6, 6:00PM
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys ABCFAM Dec 6, 7:00PM
Martha Stewart’s Holiday Open House HALMRK Dec 6, 8:00PM
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory ABCFAM Dec 6, 8:30PM
Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day ABCFAM Dec 7, 6:00PM
Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too ABCFAM Dec 7, 6:30PM
Mickey’s Christmas Special – TV Premiere ABCFAM Dec 7, 7:00PM
Cranberry Christmas ABCFAM Dec 7, 7:30PM
A Charlie Brown Christmas ABC Dec 7, 8:00PM
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland ABCFAM Dec 7, 8:00PM
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York ABCFAM Dec 7, 8:30PM
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York ABCFAM Dec 8, 6:00PM
Miracle on 34th Street ABCFAM Dec 8, 8:30PM
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year ABCFAM Dec 9, 6:00PM
The Gruffalo – ABC Family Original Special ABCFAM Dec 9, 7:00PM
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town ABCFAM Dec 9, 8:00PM
Shrek the Halls ABC Dec 9, 8:00PM
The Santa Incident HALMRK Dec 9, 8:00PM
The Year Without a Santa Claus ABCFAM Dec 9, 9:00PM
A Miser Brothers’ Christmas ABCFAM Dec 9, 10:00PM
The Year Without a Santa Claus ABCFAM Dec 10, 6:00PM
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town ABCFAM Dec 10, 7:00PM
A Christmas Carol (1938) TCM Dec 10, 8:00PM
The Santa Clause ABCFAM Dec 10, 8:00PM
Scrooge (1970) TCM Dec 10, 9:30PM
Santa Clause 2 ABCFAM Dec 10, 10:00PM
Jack Frost ABCFAM Dec 11, 3:00PM
The Santa Clause ABCFAM Dec 11, 5:00PM
Santa Clause 2 ABCFAM Dec 11, 7:00PM
White Christmas AMC Dec 11, 8:00 PM
Frosty the Snowman CBS Dec 11, 8:00 PM
Meet Me In St. Louis TCM Dec 11, 8:00PM
An Old-Fashioned Christmas HALMRK Dec 11, 8:00PM
Frosty Returns CBS Dec 11 8:30PM
Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause ABCFAM Dec 11, 9:00PM
The Flight Before Christmas CBS Dec 11, 9:00 PM
White Christmas AMC Dec 11, 10:45PM
Jack Frost ABCFAM Dec 11, 11:00PM
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland ABCFAM Dec 12, 7:00AM
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas ABCFAM Dec 12, 7:30AM
Once Upon a Christmas ABCFAM Dec 12, 8:00AM
Twice Upon a Christmas ABCFAM Dec 12, 10:00AM
Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause ABCFAM Dec 12, 12:00PM
Santa Baby – An ABC Family Original Movie ABCFAM Dec 12, 2:00PM
Santa Baby 2 Christmas Maybe ABCFAM Dec 12, 4:00PM
Christmas Cupid ABCFAM Dec 12, 8:00PM
Christmas Cupid ABCFAM Dec 12, 10:00PM
A Flintstone Christmas ABCFAM Dec 13, 6:00PM
Christmas Cupid ABCFAM Dec 13, 7:00PM
Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat ABCFAM Dec 14, 6:00PM
Dr. Seuss’ Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? ABCFAM Dec 14, 6:30PM
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Grinches The Cat in the Hat ABCFAM Dec 14, 7:00PM
Puff the Magic Dragon ABCFAM Dec 14, 7:30PM
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas ABCFAM Dec 14, 8:00PM
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown ABC Dec 14, 8:00PM
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas ABCFAM Dec 14, 10:30PM
Disney’s Prep & Landing ABCFAM Dec 15, 6:00PM
Finding Nemo ABCFAM Dec 15, 8:30PM
Finding Nemo ABCFAM Dec 16, 6:00PM
Gift of the Magi HALMRK Dec 16, 8:00PM
The Incredibles ABCFAM Dec 16, 8:30PM
A Charlie Brown Christmas ABC Dec 16, 10:30PM
The Incredibles ABCFAM Dec 17, 6:00PM
Yes, Virginia CBS Dec 17, 8:00PM
WALL-E ABCFAM Dec 17, 8:30PM
Mickey’s Christmas Special ABCFAM Dec 17, 10:30PM
The Little Drummer Boy ABCFAM Dec 18, 7:00AM
The Little Drummer Boy Book II ABCFAM Dec 18, 7:30AM
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey ABCFAM Dec 18, 8:00AM
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas ABCFAM Dec 18, 8:30AM
Pinocchio’s Christmas ABCFAM Dec 18, 9:00AM
Jack Frost ABCFAM Dec 18, 10:00AM
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland ABCFAM Dec 18, 11:00AM
Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas in July ABCFAM Dec 18, 12:00PM
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year ABCFAM Dec 18, 2:00PM
The Year Without a Santa Claus ABCFAM Dec 18, 3:00PM
A Miser Brothers’ Christmas ABCFAM Dec 18, 4:00PM
Santa Claus’ Is Comin’ To Town ABCFAM Dec 18, 5:00PM
WALL-E ABCFAM Dec 18, 6:00PM
Toy Story ABCFAM Dec 18, 8:00PM
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town ABCFAM Dec 18, 10:00PM
Happy Feet ABCFAM Dec 18, 11:00PM
Winnie The Pooh and the Blustery Day ABCFAM Dec 19, 7:00AM
Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish ABCFAM Dec 19, 7:30AM
A Dennis the Menace Christmas ABCFAM Dec 19, 9:30AM
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York ABCFAM Dec 19, 11:30AM
Scrooge (1970) TCM Dec 19, 12:00PM
The Year Without a Santa Claus ABCFAM Dec 19, 4:00PM
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town ABCFAM Dec 19, 5:00PM
Toy Story ABCFAM Dec 19, 6:00PM
Toy Story 2 ABCFAM Dec 19, 8:00PM
Toy Story 2 ABCFAM Dec 19, 10:00PM
Christmas Do-Over ABCFAM Dec 20, 7:00AM
A Carol Christmas ABCFAM Dec 20, 12:00PM
Snow – An ABC Family Original Movie ABCFAM Dec 20, 2:00PM
Snow 2 Brain Freeze ABCFAM Dec 20, 4:00PM
Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day ABCFAM Dec 20, 6:00PM
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too ABCFAM Dec 20, 6:30PM
Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation ABCFAM Dec 20, 7:00PM
Disney’s Prep & Landing ABCFAM Dec 20, 7:30PM
Santa Buddies – ABC Family Premiere Event ABCFAM Dec 20, 8:00PM
Santa Buddies ABCFAM Dec 20, 10:00PM
Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day ABCFAM Dec 21, 7:00AM
Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too ABCFAM Dec 21, 7:30AM
Santa Baby ABCFAM Dec 21, 8:00AM
Christmas Cupid ABCFAM Dec 21, 2:00PM
Jack Frost ABCFAM Dec 21, 4:00PM
Miracle on 34th Street ABCFAM Dec 21, 6:00PM
The Polar Express ABCFAM Dec 21, 8:30PM
The Story of the First Christmas Snow ABCFAM Dec 22, 7:00AM
The Leprechauns’ Christmas Gold ABCFAM Dec 22, 7:30:00AM
Jack Frost ABCFAM Dec 22, 10:00PM
Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish ABCFAM Dec 22, 12:00PM
A Dennis the Menace Christmas ABCFAM Dec 22, 2:00PM
Ice Age ABCFAM Dec 22, 4:00PM
Santa Buddies ABCFAM Dec 22, 6:00PM
The Santa Clause ABCFAM Dec 22, 8:00PM
Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause ABCFAM Dec 22, 10:00PM
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too ABCFAM Dec 23, 7:00AM
Ice Age ABCFAM Dec 23, 11:30AM
Happy Feet ABCFAM Dec 23, 1:30PM
The Polar Express ABCFAM Dec 23, 4:00PM
The Santa Clause ABCFAM Dec 23, 6:30PM
The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus ABCFAM Dec 24, 7:00AM
The Little Drummer Boy ABCFAM Dec 24, 8:00AM
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey ABCFAM Dec 24, 8:30AM
A Flintstone Christmas ABCFAM Dec 24, 11:00AM
Pinocchio’s Christmas ABCFAM Dec 24, 12:00PM
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas ABCFAM Dec 24, 1:00PM
Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas in July ABCFAM Dec 24, 1:30PM
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & Island of Misfits Toys ABCFAM Dec 24, 3:30PM
Mickey’s Christmas Special ABCFAM Dec 24, 5:00PM
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too ABCFAM Dec 24, 5:30PM
Jack Frost ABCFAM Dec 24, 6:00PM
Scrooge (1970) TCM Dec 24, 6:00PM
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland ABCFAM Dec 24, 7:00PM
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas ABCFAM Dec 24, 7:30PM
It’s a Wonderful Life NBC Dec 24, 8:00pm
A Christmas Story Marathon begins TBS Dec 24, 8:00pm
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town ABCFAM Dec 24, 8:00PM
The Year Without a Santa Claus ABCFAM Dec 24, 9:00PM
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year ABCFAM Dec 24, 10:00PM

Thanks to a SouthernMamas reader for telling us about Holiday Lights Safari Benefit, an award-winning seasonal attraction in the upstate of South Carolina in Inman near Spartanburg. It’s a mix of wild animals and holiday lights – every kid’s dream.

The Holiday Lights Safari Benefit is a one-of-a-kind event that runs nightly from Nov. 20, 2010 – Jan. 2, 2011, (including all holidays). You drive your own vehicle through nearly 100 acres decorated with millions of twinkling lights, dazzling holiday themes, light sculptures, a life-sized Nativity, plus HERDS OF LIVE ANIMALS and much more.

Highlights include the “Enchanted Deer Forest,” where you will encounter herds of free roaming animals. Also included in the Holiday Lights is “The Walk” where you can park, get out of your vehicle, pet and feed many of Hollywild’s friendly animals; gather around the bonfire, roast marshmallows, drink hot-cocoa. There are also pony rides, bottle babies, a giant slide, visits with Santa, photos with Santa’s babies. Santa and his Elf are there every night through Dec. 24

Opening nightly from 6 PM – 9 PM. with extended hours on weekends through December. For more info, click here. Cost: $6 per person. Children younger than 2 are free.

Update: Winner is Tiffany Hoffman! This week, win a family pack of tickets to Dunham Farms’ Festival of Lights and Music at Dunham Farms, Midway, Ga.

The festive family event includes holiday food, music and events like carriage tours, a model railroad display, a jazzy choral concert and a visit from Santa, square dancing, crafts and music reflecting early plantation Christmas. Lights, music and fun.

Festival dates and times
3:30-9:30 PM Sat. Dec 4, 2010 and Sat. Dec. 11, 2010
912.880.4500. For more info, click here.

To enter to win, check out the activities listed on Nov. 15 online e-letter below. Tell us one event you’d like to do this week. Answer by commenting below this post or one our SouthernMamas Facebook.

The family four pack of tickets are good for either Dec. 4 or 11. The package includes 2 adult and 2 child general admission tickets valued at $32. The tickets will be available to the winner as a Will Call package at the gate.

Deadline to enter is Sun. Nov. 21. We’ll announce the winner here.

It’s here! SouthernMamas Holidays 2010 Fun Guide: Children’s Christmas Activities in Savannah, Bluffton and beyond.

We’ve got it all: Christmas parades, holiday caroling, the Santa Train. Find out when one of Savannah’s downtown squares will be filled with snow and when Skatefest 2010 starts at Savannah Civic Center. Click here and visit our guide frequently this holiday season for updates.

For your convenience, the link to the holiday guide will posted in the column to the right throughout the holiday season. Enjoy! Please share the link with all the local parents you know.

Reserve Your Golden Ticket for Santa Train 2010!

Sat. Dec 4 @ the Roundhouse Railroad Museum, 601 W. Harris St., downtown Savannah
Ages 4 and Younger: 10 AM
Ages 5 and Older: 4:30 PM

This year, the Roundhouse is offering a version for younger tots in the morning and one for older kids in the late afternoon. Bring the crew, come out dressed in your pajamas, and celebrate the holiday season, Roundhouse Style!

Morning Tots (ages 4 and under)
The younger crowd will enjoy holiday-themed crafts and activities, hear Christmas stories aboard the passenger car, and will have the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus as well as make their own holiday cookie creations.
$10 Children
$4 Adults
CHS Member Adults Free

Late Afternoon Big Kids (ages 5 and up)
The older kid crew will have a special surprise train-ride visit by Santa Claus himself. They will create their own holiday artwork, sing Christmas carols, and be served a delicious dinner. This fun will be followed by a viewing of the Christmas favorite of many children, Warner Bros.’ Polar Express.
$20 Children
$14 Adults
CHS Member Adults $10

Reserve Your Spot Today: Call Kelli @ 912-651-6823 x3 or email childrensevents@chsgeorgia.org

Come by the Roundhouse booth at Holly Days on Broughton Street, Sat. Nov. 27 for fun crafts and a chance to win a family four pack of tickets to Santa Train 2010!

Be the face of  EmmAva Photography .

EmmAva Photography is getting a facelift and needs a face to be the model for the new look. The logo has been designed and all EmmAva needs is you.

Three winners will become the face of EmmAva Photography. First place prize is a free one-hour session, 25 pictures on disc and a photo package.

Here’s how to enter to win: Go to EmmAva Photography’s Facebook page by clicking here and “like” the page. Submit a picture of you or a family member of your choice on to EmmAva’s wall. Get your family and friends to “like” EmmAva’s page and “like” the picture you submitted. The highest 3 “likes” of submitted pictures will be the winners.

Contest ends 11:59 PM Oct. 23.

There are several mini session days coming up over the next month. You can check out the dates on www.EmmAvaphotography.com or on Facebook.

You’re invited to “The Haunting at the Cove” – a Halloween extravaganza happening Oct. 22-31 at the site of the proposed water park being built in Chatham County.

The location of The Haunting – and the future water park called Pirates Cove Water Park– is on 10 acres near I-95 and Ga. 204 off I-95 Exit 94.

Pirates Cove Water Park isn’t expected to open until May 2011. So The Haunting will give the public a chance to check out the site where the water park will be and sample some food that will be sold at the park.

The Haunting includes a scary walk through the haunted woods, inflatables, mechanical rides, rock climbing walls, free treats for kids, live music, photos with the monsters and more, said Robert Welch, lead consultant and park general manager. Welch worked for Walt Disney and has opened 17 water parks around the world.

Cost: $10; $15 on Sat. Oct. 30. The admission cost is for the walk/ride through the woods only. The other venues are pay as you go with coupons: inflatables, rides, photos, rock climbing wall etc.

Hours: 6-10 PM Fri Oct. 22; 2 PM-midnight Sat. Oct 23; 2-10 PM Sun. Oct. 24; 6-10 PM Mon-Thurs. Oct. 25-28. 6 PM-midnight Fri. Oct. 29; 2 PM- until whenever Sat. Oct. 30. 

For more Savannah-area Halloween-related events, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and fall festivals, click here.

Tybee Island Pirate Fest is Oct. 8-10. The fest includes such kid-friendly attractions as the ever popular pirate parade along Butler Avenue; Captain Jim & Krew Illusion Show; Petting Zoo; Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship where pirates are available for pictures; Pet Costume Contest; Children’s Costume Contest; limbo contest; and more.

For a schedule of the kids events at the Tybee Island Pirate Fest, click here.

People often ask Savannah portrait photographer Katie Sharpe “How did you get started?” Her answer will forever and always remain the same: “Lilah.”

Katie always loved of taking pictures. Over the years, her hobby became a passion.

Katie is a mother of four whose youngest daughter Lilah has a rare vision impairment. Lilah gave Katie the courage to attempt her dream. To turn her passion into a reality. Katie is now a popular Savannah  portrait photographer for Weddings, Family, Children, Maternity, Newborns.

Check out more examples of Katie’s high-quality work by clicking here. Stay connected to Katie Sharpe Photography by “liking” her Facebook page by clicking here.

 Katie Sharpe Photography, www.katiesharpphotography.com, 912-224-9362, email: Katie@katiesharpphotography,com 

Bottoms Up , the newest cloth diaper resource in the Savannah area, carries several styles of cloth diapers and accessories. New to cloth diapering? No problem! Bottoms Up specializes in private consultations in your home, or invite some friends and host a diaper show. Hosts get a free gift!

SouthernMamas reader Cindy Dana wins the $25 gift certificate from Bottoms Up. Congratulations Cindy!

Bottoms Up, www.clothbottomsup.com, Contact Michelle Terhune at 912-658-6229 or via email: little_buns@yahoo.com. Visit Bottoms Up on Facebook by clicking here.

This week, Savannah Celtic Soccer is giving away a free fall season of soccer for a lucky child. The giveaway is for child who’s eligible for either Savannah Celtic’s U6 program — U6: born on or after 8-1-04 to 7-31-06 or a child who’s eligible for Savannah Celtic’s Early Goals toddler program 3 to 4 (born before the U6 dates)

If your child is 4, ready to go to the next level, play on a team and play in Saturday games then the U6 program is for you. If you feel your child is not ready then Early Goals is the program for them.  The giveaway is for the fall soccer season.

Normally, registration costs range between $50-$60, depending on the program.  But you can win a free soccer program for your child.  Check out the rules below to enter to win:

To enter to win, tell us the best thing you’ve done this summer with your kids. Comment below this post or on our  SouthernMamas Facebook Fan Page . Be sure to become a fan while you’re there.  Entry deadline is Aug. 8

The soccer programs will start in August/September and sign ups are being taken now online at Savannah Celtic. Follow the online registration link.

The U6 fee is $60, which includes a state registration policy, 1 practice t-shirt and 1 game t-shirt. U6 teams practice once a week and play games on Saturdays. The fee for Early Goals is $50, which includes 1 practice T-shirt.
 
If you have any questions about our U6 program, call 912-495-9996 and talk to Keith or email David davidmlaing@gmail.com.

Garden City has officially opened registration for Fall sports including children’s soccer, football and cheerleading.

To register, area residents can sign up at the Garden City Recreation Center office located at 160B Priscilla D. Thomas Way between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Registration fee is $25 per child (maximum of $50 per family), which is payable by check or money order.

Parents with children who would like to participate must submit the registration fee plus a copy of each child’s birth certificate. Equipment will be provided for football and cheerleading. For soccer, children will be responsible for bringing their own cleats and shin guards.

Football and cheerleading will begin on August 2 for ages 6-12. Co-ed soccer will begin on August 9 for ages 4-11. Children must meet the age requirements to register for sports teams. For more info, call 912.966.7788.

Have a business? Love the scouts?

Here’s a chance to spread the word about your business to roughly 1,000 Boy Scout families.

This is a very exciting time for Boy Scouts across the nation as they celebrate 100 years of scouting!

Help congratulate scouts and their families when they come together at their Boy Scout reunion this August at Memorial Stadium in Savannah. This is a great opportunity to influence over 1,000 families buying decisions during back to school season while helping make this a memorable event.

If you’d like your business to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration through giftbag or raffle item donations send an email to nstricklandapc@gmail.com or call 912.844.8487.

Savannah Fun Tours offers Scavenger Hunts that are perfect for families who want to learn about Savannah in a fun, interactive, economical way.

These self guided, self paced tours allow you to see Savannah by foot, on your own schedule, at your own pace, with your friends, family and pets.

The “passport” tour book is $25. Take as many people along as you like and you’ll use your book to navigate your way around town “collecting” words from monument markers. All the words will create a unique sentence.

When you are done, take the booklet back to where you bought it to collect your PRIZE worth at least $8 (one prize per book). For more info and to find out the various spots where you can purchase the hunt tour book, click here.

Below is a guest post by Marsha Woelber, a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC

Should I have a custodial or 529 account for my child? It depends. What is the money for? Custodial accounts are often used to allow minors to have assets titled in their names but managed by an adult.  You may have seen the terms UTMA or UGMA – this stands for Uniform Transfer to Minors Act and Uniform Gift to Minors Act. Assets placed into these accounts remain under the control of the parents until the child reaches the age of majority (18 in most states)

Use of funds:
A parent may use the funds in a custodial account for expenses benefitting the child. This does not include everyday expenses like food, but does include a computer, car, etc. A child has full access to the funds when he or she reaches legal age and may use the money for anything. Contrast this to a 529 Savings Plan, where the money may only be used (without penalty) for qualified higher education expenses.  Please see my previous on college savings for more information on 529 accounts by clicking here.

Note the Financial Aid Consideration: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid.The Department of Education conducts an analysis based on financial information, such as income, assets and other household information.  Funds in a custodial account are considered assets of the child and have a high impact on financial aid.   529 accounts owned by a parent have a low impact on financial aid eligibility.

Marsha Woelber is a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. She can be reached @ marsha@iissav.com or 912-650-2852. The opinions in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Please talk to your tax advisor before executing any strategy

Marsha does occasional posts on SouthernMamas about  becoming financially savvy.  To read her previous posts, click here.

With school out, it can be a challenge to keep your kids entertained for these three months without going completely broke. These summer fun suggestions are nearby and guaranteed to give you more ways to save money and have fun this summer.

Click here to access the SouthernMamas Free and Discounted Summer 2010 Kid’s Activities in Savannah, Hilton Head Is.

GPB has teamed up with Stone Mountain for a summer celebration at the GPB Dinosaur Train Craft Shack.

June 4-August 8. Come by the craft shack to create Dinosaur Train arts and crafts!

Elizabeth Cavanaugh wins the May Mother’s Month giveaway from Glow Medical Spa & Beauty Boutique 

Elizabeth wins a Mother’s Day Make-Over. The giveaway includes a free skin consultation with a licensed medical esthetician, a customized facial, a make-up makeover and $100 worth of products. Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who entered to win! 80-plus participants!!

Glow is located in Governours Square at 415 Eisenhower Drive between Waters Avenue and Hodgson Memorial Drive. Visit Glow’s MedSpa Services page to see the services offered and read all about the cutting-edge cosmetic medical procedures that have made Glow the leading Medical Spa in Savannah- famous for offering the newest and latest beauty services. Glow offers a variety of services including eye lash extensions, microdermabrasion, massage, chemical peels, Botox, Juvederm, laser leg vein treatments, laser facial treatments and more. 912.303.9611

Carol Dean-Toder and Pam Kraft each win a kids’  summer sculpture class at Tiffany Drabek Studio in Savannah.  Congratulations, ladies.

The Sculpture “Handbuilding with Clay” class is Monday-Friday August 2-6, 9:30-10:30 A.M. Kids 4 and older will learn different handbuilding techniques, explore surface design through texture and use colorful glazes. Cost is normally $60, but the fee will be waived for the winners.

Tiffany offers a variety of summer art classes for kids. For more info, by clicking here. The studio location is at 215 East 64th St. Savannah, 31405 Contact: Tiffany Drabek-692-0659, email tiffanydrabek@gmail.com. Discounts for multiple siblings. Tiffany also offers offer pottery parties for all special occasions: birthday parties, bridal parties, team-building office parties, church group activities, etc.

This week, two SouthernMamas subscribers will each win a kids’  summer sculpture class at Tiffany Drabek Studio in Savannah.  The Sculpture “Handbuilding with Clay” class is Monday-Friday August 2-6, 9:30-10:30 A.M. Kids 4 and older will learn different handbuilding techniques, explore surface design through texture and use colorful glazes. Cost is normally $60, but the fee will be waived for the winners.

2010 Summer Clay Class Offerings at Tiffany Drabek Studio, 215 East 64th St.,  Savannah, include:

Pottery(on the Wheel)
Monday-Friday, July 19-23 9-11 A.M. Fee-$120
Kids 7 and older will receive instruction on how to prepare clay for the wheel, center clay and make plates, bowls and cylinders. They will explore with different underglaze applications.

Pottery (on the Wheel)
Monday-Friday, July 26-30 9-11 A.M. Fee – $120
Same description as above class. Students from prior week may continue in this class for more practice/instruction. If both weeks are reserved, there is a $15 discount off the second tuition.

Sculpture; Handbuilding with Clay
Monday-Friday August 2-6, 9:30-10:30 A.M. Fee: $60
Kids 4 and older will learn different handbuilding techniques, explore surface design through texture and use colorful glazes.

The studio location is at 215 East 64th St. Savannah, 31405 Contact: Tiffany Drabek-692-0659, email tiffanydrabek@gmail.com. Discounts for multiple siblings. Tiffany also offers offer pottery parties for all special occasions: birthday parties, bridal parties, team-building office parties, church group activities, etc. Call or email for more details. Photos and more info by clicking here

Mothers deserve more than a day to be honored. We should have an entire month,right?

Glow Medical Spa & Beauty Boutique  is helping turn May into Mother’s Month with an incredible month-long giveaway for a lucky SouthernMamas subscriber: a Mother’s Day Make-Over. The giveaway includes a free skin consultation with a licensed medical esthetician, a customized facial, a make-up makeover and $100 worth of products.

Glow is located in Governours Square at 415 Eisenhower Drive between Waters Avenue and Hodgson Memorial Drive. Visit Glow’s MedSpa Services page to see the services offered and read all about the cutting-edge cosmetic medical procedures that have made Glow the leading Medical Spa in Savannah- famous for offering the newest and latest beauty services. Glow offers a variety of services including eye lash extensions, microdermabrasion, massage, chemical peels, Botox, Juvederm, laser leg vein treatments, laser facial treatments and more. 912.303.9611

Bree Trott wins a family four pack of tickets to CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE!, which will be at Savannah Civic Center June 22 & 23. Congratulations

Thanks to everyone who entered to win by having your kids  complete this sentence “A good mother is someone who ….?  Great responses in the comments section under the initial giveaway post and on the SouthernMamas Facebook Fan page.

Tickets for the CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! show in Savannah in June are now for sale. For more info, click here. Order online by clicking here.